THOMAS  KIRWAX. 


MEMORIAL   HISTORY 


OF    THE 


SEVENTEENTH    REGIMENT 

MASSACHUSETTS 
VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY 

(Old  and  New  Organizations) 

IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR  FROM  1861—1865 


Issued  by  the  Authority  of  the  Supervisors,  authorized  to  \\ritc  and 
publish  the  History. 


Written  and  compiled  in  part  by 

THOMAS  KIRWAN  ,      . 

1  \ 

Edited  and  Completed  by 

HENRY  SPLAINE 
Address  HENRY   SPLAINE,  3  Midland  Street,  Dorchester,  Maes. 


Copyrighted,  1911,  by  Colonel  Henry  Splaine 


Published  for  the  Committee  on  History 

By  THE  SALEM  PRESS  CO. 

Salem,  Mass. 


I  / 


THE    FLAG 


BY  ARTHUR  MACY 


"Here  comes  the  Flag ! 

Hail  it! 
Who  dares  to  drag  or 

Trail  it? 
Give  it  hurrahs, 
Three  for  the  stars, 
Three  for  the  bars. 

' '  Uncover  your  head  to  it ! 
The  soldiers  who  tread  to  it 
Shout  at  the  sight  of  it, 
The  justice  and  right  of  it, 
The  unsullied  white  of  it, 
The  blue  and  red  of  it, 
And  tyranny's  dread  of  it. 


"Here  comes  the  Flag! 

Cheer  it. 
Valley  and  crag 

Shall  hear  it. 
Fathers  shall  bless  it, 
Children  caress  it. 
All  shall  maintain  it, 
No  one  shall  stain  it. 

"Cheers  for  the  sailors  that  fought 

on  the  wave  for  it ; 
Cheers    for    the    soldiers    that 

always  were  brave  for  it, 
Tears   for  the  men   that   went 

down     to     the  grave  for   it, 
Here  comes  the  Flag!' ' 


M1S3909 


CONTENTS 


PAGE. 

CHAPTER  1 1 

Massachusetts  in  the  Civil  War — The  Prompt  Response  to  Call  for 
Troops — The  Seventeenth  Among  ^the  Early  Three  Year's 
Regiments  to  Answer  the  Call — The  Companies  Composing  It 
and  Where  Formed. 

CHAPTER  II 7 

Roster  of  Field  and  Staff,  Xon-Commissioned  Staff,  Band  and  Com 
pany  Officers  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment,  and  of  all  Enlisted 
Men  of  the  Original  Regiment. 

CHAPTER  III 66 

Portraits  with  Biographies  of  Field  and  Staff  Company  Officers — 
Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers  Infantry — First  Organi 
zation. 

CHAPTER  IV 103 

Departure  for  Seat  of  War — Arrival  in  Baltimore — Cool  Reception — 
Expedition  to  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia — He  Stole  His  Own 
Goose  —  Cherytown  Oysters — Return^to  Baltimore — Recollec 
tions  of  the  War  by  Ruel  B.  Pray. 

CHAPTER  V 118 

Baltimore  to  Xewbern — In  Burnsides  Ninth  Corps — First  Brigade 
of  Foster's  Division — Colonel  Amory  Commanding  the  Bri 
gade — At  the  Front — Picket,  Scouting  and  Fighting — Jackson 
Place,  Red  House  and  Deep  Gully — Xetural  Zone — Malaria — 
Conversion  of  Mrs.  Cleave — Trenton— Turkey  Fallon — Laugh 
able  Matter — Plymouth  and  Tarboro — Short  of  Rations — 
Battles  of  Kinston,  Whitehall  and  Goldsboro. 

CHAPTER  VI 168 

Relieved  from  Provost  Guard  and  Back  in  Barracks  at  the  South 
Side  of  the  Trent — The  Johnnies  Came  to  Collect  a  Year's 
Rent— Battle  of  Blounts  Mill— Charge  of  the  Causeway- 
Gum  Swamp  Expedition — Trenton  and  the  Barber  of  Seville — 
Plenty  of  Water  Down  There— Winton  or  Mt.  Tabor  Church— 
The  Captain's  Shower  Bath — Escorting  the  Colors — Captain 
Mac  and  the  Laughing  Mule — Didn't  Blame  the  Captain. 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

CHAPTER  VII 196 

In  the  City  on  Provost  Guard — Batchelder  Creek  by  Colonel  Splaine — 
A  Civic  Hero  in  the  Muddy  Trenches — Siege  of  Washington, 
N.  C.,  with  Signal  Guns — Second  Direct  Attack  on  Newborn — 
Colonel  Amory  and  the  Daughter  of  the  Regiment — A  Moon 
light  Drill — Capture  and  Fate  of  a  Confederate  Spy — Muster 
Out  of  the  Old  Seventeenth  Regiment  and  Birth  of  the  New 
Organization. 
CHAPTER  VIII 225 

Birth  of  the  New  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers — Captain 
Henry  Splaine  Assumes  Command — Command  Transferred  to 
Newport  Barracks — Captain  Splaine  in  Command  of  Post—Alter 
cation  with  Captain  Graham-General  Palmer  Fears  Attack  Along 
the  Whole  Line — Some  Recruits  Arrive — Chase  of  Nickerson,  the 
Rebel  Scout — Capture  of  Sergeant  Perkins — Move  of  Captain 
Graham — Capture  of  Captain  George  Bell  of  Confederate 
Army — Ordered  Home  on  Veteran  Furlough — Yellow  Fever 
Breaks  Out — Death  of  Colonel  Amory — View  of  Newbern 
after  Furlough — Trading  Day  at  Outposts — Regiment  to  be 
Filled  Up — Unlawful  Keeping  of  Recruits  in  Second  Heavy 
Artillery — Arrival  of  Lieut. -Colonel  Fellows,  Commissioned  as 
Colonel — Captain  Graham  Again — General  Grant  and  the 
Sentry — Many  Recruits  from  Second  Heavy  Artilleiy — Failure 
of  Colonel  Fellows  to  Muster — Eight  Full  Companies  Organized — 
Leaving  Newport  Barracks  for  the  Field. 

CHAPTER  IX 263 

Roster  of  Field,  Staff,  Non-Commissioned  Staff,  Company  Officers 
and  Enlisted  Men  of  the  Reorganized  Seventeenth  Regiment, 
Massachusetts  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry. 

CHAPTER  X 295 

Biographies — With  Portrait  of  Field,  Staff,  Line  Officers  and  a  few 
of  the  Enlisted  Men  of  the  Reorganized,  or  Veteran  Seventeenth 
Regiment  of  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry. 

CHAPTER  XI 313 

Taking  the  Field — March  4,  1865 — Splaine's  Brigade,  Composition 
of — General  Carter  Commanding  Division;  General  Cox  Com 
manding  the  Corps  and  General  Schofield  Commanding  the 
Army — Skirmishing  with  the  Enemy — Throwing  up  Works  at 
Wise's  Forks — A  Real  Romance  of  the  War — Charles  S.  Bolton, 
A  Hero— Battle  of  Wise's  Forks,  Part  1,  2,  3  and  4— Captain 
Fish's  Pop  Gun« — Strengthening  our  Works — A  War  Song — Cap 
ture  of  Upham's  Brigade,  as  Told  by  General  Carter — Complete 
History,  With  Joy  Around  the  Camp  Fires. 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

CHAPTER  XII   357 

After  the  Battle — Enter  Kinston — General  Henderson,  the  New 
Brigade  Commander — Story  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Miller  of  Kinston, 
N.  C.,  Parts  1,  2,  and  3 — On  to  Raleigh— General  Schofield's 
Order  of  Good  News — War  is  Hell — Lee's  Surrender — Battle 
of  Averysboro — Assassination  of  Lincoln — Stonewall  Jackson's 
Horse — March  to  Greensboro — Splaine's  Irish-African  Friend 
Had  Never  Seen  an  Irishman — Graham  and  Greensboro — A 
War  Story — A  Massachusetts  Secessionist — Hugh  Young's 
Glee  Club — War  Song — In  Command  at  Greensboro — Quarrel 
With  Worthington — Mayor  Scott  of  Greensboro,  Thanks 
Regiment — One-Year  Men  Sent  Home — Fourth  of  July  Salute 
Muster  Out  of  the  Veteran  Regiment — Remarks  of  Benjamin 
P.  Rogers — Colonel  Splaine's  Valedictory — A  Verse. 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


LAURA  CAROLINA  AMORY 72 

COL.  THOMAS  I.  C.  AMORY 4 

CAMP  ANDREW 116 

CAPT.  SIDNEY  C.  BANCROFT 306 

CHARLES  S.  BOLTON 336 

CAPT.  DAVID  F.  BROWN 300 

FIRST  LIEUT.  MICHAEL  BURNS 306 


CAPT.  LEWIS  CANN 

SERGT.  MICHAEL  CARNEY  .  .  . 
ADJT.  HENRY  A.  CHEEVER.  . . 

LIEUT.  LINUS  B.  COMINS 

ALBERT  J.  COOK 

LIEUT.  EDWARD  P.  COTTING. 

MAJOR  LUTHER  DAY 

CAPT.  HORACE  DEXTER 

WILLIAM  H.  EATON  .  .  . 


304 
306 
112 
300 
224 
300 
320 
300 
320 


ASST.  SURG.  CHARLES  G.  A.  EAYERS.  .  .   304 

CAPT.  CHARLES  O.  FELLOWS 96 

COL.  JOHN  F.  FELLOWS 8 

CHARLES  E.  FLANDERS 306 

SAMUEL  J.  FORD 224 

LIEUT.  THOMAS  W.  FOSTER 306 

MAJOR  JONES  FRANKLE 320 

CAPT.  N.  P.  FULLER 112 

DOCTOR  I.  F.  GALLOUPE 304 

LIEUT.  DL.  L.  GETCHELL 300 

RUFUS  L.  GILMAN _ 320 

LIEUT.  THOMAS  W.  GOODWIN 320 

LIEUT.  JERE  A.  GREELEY 300 

FREDERICK  T.  GREENHALGE 72 

WILLIAM  D'ARCY  HALEY 300 

SERGT.  GRANVILLE  HARDY 176 

QUARTERMASTER  ROBERT  HARRIS 136 

RUFUS  HART 300 

GENERAL  T.  J.  HENDERSON 336 

LIEUT.  JOHN  B.  HILL 304 

ASST.  SURG.  WM.  H.  W.  HINDS 304 

AMOS  HOMANS 306 

FIRST  LIEUT.  HENRY  G.  HYDE 320 

LIEUT.  JAMES  INMAN 300 

THOMAS  H.  JACKMAN 320 

CAPT.  THOMAS  R.  KEENAN 300 

SERGEANT  FRANK  G.  KELLEY 306 

JOSEPH  G.  KELLEY 306 

CAPT.  GEORGE  W.  KENNEY 112 

THOMAS  KIRWAN Frontispiece 

ANDREW  P.  LEWIS 224 

ROLAND  F.  LEWIS 308 

CAPT.  JOHN  K.  LLOYD 300 

ADJUTANT  BARNABAS  N.  MANN 300 


FIRST  LIEUT.  EZEKIEL  F.  MANN  . . 
MAPS. 

BATTLE  OF  BLOUNT'S  MILLS,  N.  C. 

BATTLE  OF  GOLDSBORO,  N.  C 

BATTLE  OF  KINSTON,  N.  C 

BATTLE  OF  WHITE  HALL,  N.  C. . .  . 

BATTLE  OF  WISE  FORKS,  N.  C 

LIEUT.  PHILIP  C.  MASON 

JAMES  MCKNIGHT 

JOHN  W.  MCKNIGHT.  . . 

CAPT.  M.  C.  M'NAMARA ...'..'. 

LIEUT.  HENRY  F.  MERRILL 

CAPT.  JOSEPH  A.  MOORE 

J.  B.  MOORES 

LIEUT.  JAMES  MORONEY 

CAPT.  GEO.  H.  MORRELL 

LIEUT.  CHARLES  C.  MORSE 

HERMAN  F.  MORSE 

MAJOR  JOHN  E.  MULLALY 

WILLIAM  J.  MURPHY 

R.  P.  NEWMAN 

CAPT.  EDWARD  T.  PARKINSON 

LIEUT.  REUL  B.  PRAY 

RICHARD  PURTILL 

GEORGE  F.  PUTNAM 

CAPT.  I.  N.  RICHARDSON 

SERGT.  J.  C.  RICHARDSON 

LIEUT.  SAMUEL  G.  ROBERTS 

BENJAMIN  P.  ROGERS 

CAPT.  MALCOLM  SILLARS 

LIEUT.  EBEN  SIMONDS 

J.  R.  SIMONDS 

LIEUT.  JAMES  SMITH 

LT.-COL.  WILLIAM  W.  SMITH 

COL.  HENRY  SPLAINE 

HERBERT  SPLAINE 

CAPT.  JAMES  SPLAINE 

COL.  JAMES  STEWART,  JR 

CAPT.  LEVI  P.  THOMPSON 

CORPL.  ANDREW  J.  TILTON 

CAPT.  ENOCH  F.  TOMPKINS 

LIEUT.  WILLIAM  H.  TURNER 

JOHN  H.  TYLER 

DAVID  WALLACE 

CAPT.  HENRY  B.  WEBBER 

CAPT.  THOMAS  O.  WEIR 

MICHAEL  WELSH 

HUGH  YOUNG 

JOSHUA  YOUNGER 


136 

168 
160 
156 
164 
316 

72 
176 
176 
304 
300 

96 
306 
136 
300 
306 
320 

96 
300 
306 

72 
104 
224 
306 
304 
320 
304 
224 

96 
296 
120 
320 
300 

16 
306 
176 
336 
304 
304 
112 
300 
320 
300 
304 
320 
136 
336 
320 


INTRODUCTION 


This  memorial  history  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  Massa 
chusetts  Volunteer  Infantry  is  offered  to  the  surviving  members 
of  the  regiment,  to  the  families  and  kindred  of  the  members  who 
have  answered  the  last  roll-call,  and  to  the  general  public,  as  an 
honest  narrative  of  the  services  of  the  regiment  in  the  great  war  of 
the  Rebellion,  during  a  period  of  over  four  years — from  1861  to 
1865 — with  absolutely  correct  rosters  of  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  command. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  there  are  only  three  of  the  origi 
nal  officers  of  the  regiment, — Colonel  Henry  Splaine,  Major  John 
E.  Mullally  and  Lieutenant  James  Moroney,— who  are  accessible 
for  information  as  to  the  services  of  the  regiment  in  the  field,  and 
that  there  are  only  seven  of  the  newer  officers  (gentlemen  who  rose 
from  the  ranks), — Captain  Joseph  A.  Moore,  Captain  Charles  0. 
Fellows,  Captain  Malcolm  Sillars,  Captain  Lewis  Cann,  Lieutenant 
Ezekiel  F.  Mann,  Lieutenant  Philip  C.  Mason,  and  Lieut.  James 
Smith, — who  are  accessible,  and  who  have  taken  part  in  writing 
the  history.  Added  to  these  are  a  few  enlisted  men :  Hugh  Young, 
Roland  F.  Lewis,  Charles  E.  Flanders,  John  H.  Tyler,  George  F. 
Putnam,  William  H.  Eaton,  Joseph  C.  Richardson,  Andrew  P. 
Lewis,  John  W.  McKnight,  Benjamin  P.  Rogers,  Samuel  J.  Ford, 
Richard  Purtill,  Michael  Welsh  and  a  few  others  who  have  ably 
and  willingly  assisted  in  furnishing  material  and  writing  most 
valuable  sketches  for  the  history  of  their  regiment. 

Considering,  then,  the  limited  number  of  persons  who  have 
actively  helped  the  supervisors  to  write  the  history,  and  considering 
that  almost  fifty  years  have  elapsed  since  the  organization  of  the 
command,  is  it  any  wonder  that  they  approach  their  task  with 
trepidation  as  to  their  ability  to  present  a  full,  truthful  and  inter 
esting  history  to  their  expectant  readers?  If  the  officers  and  men 
o^  the  regiment  who  have  been  mustered  out  forever  were  alive 


INTRODUCTION. 

today,  what  a  treasure  of  anecdote  and  other  valuable  information 
concerning  themselves,  their  associates,  their  camp  life,  marches, 
bivouacs  and  battles,  could  be  secured  and  presented  to  the  reader? 
They  are  not  here  to  speak  for  themselves,  and  the  task  of  speaking 
for  them  has  devolved  upon  the  few  surviving  members  already 
mentioned. 

Especial  thanks  are  due  to  Colonel  Splaine  for  his  efforts  in 
helping  to  write  and  present  our  history  in  its  present  acceptable 
form.  Were  it  not  for  the  assistance  of  the  Colonel,  the  history 
could  not  have  been  written. 

At  a  regular  meeting  of  the  Regimental  Association,  held  at 
Lynn  Woods,  on  the  23d  of  August,  1907,  the  following-named 
members  were  made  a  Committee  on  History,  with  instructions 
to  proceed  to  the  writing  and  publication  of  the  same:  Captain 
Joseph  A.  Moore,  Major  Jones  Frankle,  Roland  F.  Lewis,  Captain 
Malcolm  Sillars  and  Colonel  Henry  Splaine.  The  committee  em 
ployed  Thomas  Kirwan  of  Company  "K"  as  historian  of  the 
regiment. 

The  progress  made  by  that  committee  on  the  history  during 
the  three  succeeding  years  was  so  slow  that  the  Regimental  Asso 
ciation,  at  its  regular  meeting,  held  at  the  Lynn  Yacht  Club,  at 
Lynn,  Mass.,  August  23,  1910,  unanimously  voted  to  give  Colonel 
Henry  Splaine  and  Captain  Malcolm  Sillars  absolute  control  of 
writing  and  publishing  the  history  of  the  regiment.  As  a  result 
of  this  action  by  the  Association,  the  history  was  completed  and 
ready  for  the  printer  a  few  months  later. 

With  these  few  explanatory  remarks,  the  committee  present  a 
history  as  authentic  and  interesting  as  it  is  possible  to  make  it  at 
this  late  day- — of  a  regiment  whose  brave  and  patriotic  officers  and 
men  rendered  trying  and  valuable  services  to  their  country — offi 
cers  and  men  who,  during  their  whole  term  of  service,  reflected 
credit  on  themselves,  their  state  and  their  nation,  and  of  whom  it 
can  be  truly  said  that  no  act  of  theirs,  in  battle  or  out  of  it,  dimmed 
the  lustre  of  a  single  star  on  the  imperishable  flag  they  carried. 

HENRY  SPLAINE,  Supervisor. 
MALCOLM  SILLARS,  Assistant  Supervisor. 

(Supervisors  of  and  Committee  on  Writing  and  Publishing  the  History.) 


EVERETT,  MASS.,  OCTOBER  25,  1910. 

At  a  regular  reunion  of  the  association  of  the  17th  Regiment 
Massachusetts  Infantry  Volunteers  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion, 
holden  at  Lynn,  Mass.,  August  23,  1910,  and  of  which  William  H. 
Eaton  was  president;  Henry  Splaine,  treasurer;  and  Lieut.  Ezekiel 
F.  Mann,  Secretary;  the  said  association,  after  hearing  the  report 
of  the  Committee  on  History,  and  seeing  no  probability  of  a  speedy 
completion  of  the  said  history,  unanimously  adopted  the  following 
resolution,  offered  by  Comrade  John  H.  Tyler: 

"That  Col.  Henry  Splaine  and  Capt.  Malcolm  Sillars  be  ap 
pointed  supervisor  and  assistant  supervisor,  respectively,  of  the 
History  of  the  17th  Regiment  Massachusetts  Infantry  Volunteers; 
that  they  have  sole  control  of  writing  and  publishing  the  same;  that 
they  have  power  to  make  contracts,  collect  money  and  pay  bills 
in  connection  with  writing  of  and  publishing  the  same;  and  they 
arehereby  instructed  to  make  all  haste  in  finishing  and  publishing 
the  said  history." 

EZEKIEL  F.  MANN, 

Secretary  of  the  17th  Mass.  Regt.  Infy.  Asso., 
56  Oakes  St.,  Everett,  Mass. 


DEATH  OF  THOMAS  KIRWAN. 


Thomas  Kinvan  died  on  Monday,  February  6,  1911,  at  his 
home,  560  Beach  Street,  Revere,  Mass.,  aged  eighty-three  years. 
He  was  the  oldest  newspaper  man  in  Boston  or  its  vicinity  and  held 
a  place  of  honor  at  the  banquet  of  the  Boston  Veteran  Journalists 
in  that  city  in  November,  1910. 

He  was  born  in  Try  on,  P.  E.  I.,  April  17,  1829.  He  came  to 
Boston  in  1848,  and  worked  as  a  compositor  on  the  "  Boston  Com 
mercial  Bulletin"  and  the  "Advertiser."  In  1862,  he  enlisted  as 
a  private  in  Company  K,  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer 
Infantry. 

In  1874,  Mr.  Kirwan  went  to  "The  Boston  Herald"  as  a 
compositor,  and  later  became  a  reporter.  He  held  different  posi 
tions  on  the  editorial  staff,  and  did  much  work  in  writing  special 
articles.  He  resigned  from  "The  Herald"  staff  in  1903.  Mr. 
Kirwan  was  the  author  of  several  books  on  mining  and  was  a  pro 
found  student  of  geology.  He  wrote  also  a  history  of  the  cam 
paign  against  Goldsboro. 

Mr.  Kirwan  was  married  three  times,  and  leaves  a  widow,  who 
was  Mrs.  Mary  Post.  He  left  three  sons  and  two  daughters. 

The  funeral  was  held  Wednesday  morning,  February  8th,  at 
ten  o'clock.  At  his  own  request,  only  G.  A.  R.  services  were  held. 

Comrade  Kirwan  was  up  to  August  23d,  1910,  the  official 
historian  of  the  17th  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  gave 
much  time  and  labor  to  the  work,  but  his  long  illness  had  compelled 
him  to  relinquish  the  task  which  he  had  vainly  hoped  to  finish. 

The  following  letter  from  Colonel  Splaine  to  the  bereaved 
widow  is  explanatory  of  the  unfortunate  situation: 


3  MIDLAND  STREET,  DORCHESTER,  MASS.,  February  12,  1911 . 
MRS.  THOMAS  KIRWAN,  560  BEACH  STREET,  REVERE,  MASS. 
DEAR  MADAM: 

Having  learned  of  the  death  of  your  beloved  husband,  Thomas  Kirwan, 
Esq.,  I  desire  to  express  my  profound  regret  at  the  loss  of  so  estimable  a 
gentleman,  and  offer  to  you  my  heartfelt  sympathy  for  your  irreparable  loss. 
Having  been  acquainted  with  him  for  almost  a  lifetime — both  in  civil  life  and 
as  one  who  served  with  him  in  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer 
Regiment  during  the  Civil  War — I  am  able  to  bear  testimony  to  his  valor 
and  patriotism  as  a  soldier,  and  to  his  ability  as  a  journalist  and  historian. 
His  recent  ill  health,  which  compelled  him  to  relinquish  the  work  of  completing 
the  history  of  his  own  regiment,  as  its  official  historian,  is  a  severe  blow  to  me, 
personally,  as  I  am  forced  to  take  up  and  attempt  to  finish  the  work  which 
he  had  so  ably  begun  and  partly  finished,  and  which,  no  doubt,  he  would  have 
brought  to  a  successful  and  acceptable  close. 

Praying  that  the  Almighty  God  may  comfort  and  console  you  in  your 
bereavement,  I  am 

Sincerely  yours, 

Tom  Kirwan's  Comrade-in-Arms, 

HENRY  SPLAINE. 


ERRATA 


Page  3,  last  line  should  read  "Soldiering  in  North  Carolina' '. 

Page  4,  Middle  of  page,  should  read,  Captain  Day. 

Page  9,  should  read,  Capt.  Geo.  W.  Kenny,  wounded,  Dec.  17,  1862. 

Page  14,  should  read,  Sergt,  John  Dunn,  re-enlisted  Jany.  5,  1864. 

Page  15,  should  read,  Corporal  Albert  F.  Austin,  enlisted  May  10,  1861. 

Page  15,  should  read,  Nathaniel  B.  Burpee. 

Page  15,  should  read,  Thomas  Carter,  discharged  September  24,  1861. 

Page  18,  should  read,  Albert  Remington,  Sturbridge. 

Page  28,  should  read,  Robert  Hill,  age  19. 

Page  28,  should  read,  Alba  McKay,  discharged  Nov.  25,  1862. 

Page  35,  should  read,  Enoch  M.  Kennick. 

Page  40,  should  read,  Henry  Chase,  re-enlisted  Dec.  5,  1863. 

Page  48,  8th  line  from  top,  should  read,  Capt.  Daniel  B.  Tarr. 

Page  62,  should  read,  Lieut.  B.  N.  Mann,  wounded  Dec.  17,  1862. 

Page  62,  should  read,  Charles  C.  Morse,  2d  Lieut. 

Page  264,  should  read,  Henry  A.  W.  Blackburn-.Pa.rtoN. 

Page  267,  should  read,  James  H.  Stewart,  1st  Lieut. 

Page  268,  should  read,  Wm.  E.  Gilman,  enlisted  January  1,  1864. 

Page  272,  should  read,  Algernon  S.  Nichols. 

Page  275,  should  read,  Robert  M.  Field,  enlisted  Dec.  8,  1863. 

Page  275,  should  read,  Jeremiah  Looby,  discharged  June  30,  1865. 

Page  277,  should  read,  Henry  (7.  Hyde,  1st  Lieut. 

Page  282,  should  read,  Charles  W.  Locke,  enlisted  Aug.  25,  1864. 

Page  283,  should  read,  Nathaniel  Phillips,  discharged  June  30,  1865. 

Page  284,  should  read,  John  Welch,  discharged  June  30,  1865. 

Page  284,  should  read,  Joseph  G.  Martin,  1st  Sergt.,  mustered  out  July  11. 

1865. 

Page  284,  should  read,  Samuel  H.  Jones. 

Page  288,  should  read,  Charles  Hartman,  musician,  mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 
Page  291,  should  read,  John  Wall,  2d,  en'isted  Sept,  5,  1864. 


C?I AFTER  I. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR — ITS  PROMPT  RESPONSE  TO 
CALL  FOR  TROOPS — THE  SEVENTEENTH  AMONG  THE  EARLY 
THREE  YEARS'  REGIMENTS  TO  ANSWER  THE  CALL — THE 
COMPANIES  COMPOSING  IT  AND  WHERE  FORMED. 

Massachusetts  in  the  Civil  War,  and  what  a  glorious  record  of 
patriotism  and  sacrifice  it  has!  The  Seventeenth  Regiment  of  its 
infantry  contribution  to  the  forces  of  the  national  government  is 
the  one  whose  services  in  that  war  it  is  the  purpose  to  treat  of  in 
this  memorial  history. 

In  1861  a  condition  of  Civil  War  existed  in  the  United  States, 
due  to  the  secession  of  the  Southern  States  from  the  Union.  In 
deed,  Avar  had  been  actually  levied  against  the  nation  in  the  as 
sault  upon  and  capture  of  Fort  Sumter  in  Charleston  harbor  by  an 
organized  military  force  of  the  seceded  states.  This  act  of  war 
aroused  the  people  of  the  entire  Northern  States,  and  preparations 
were  at  once  made  to  form  a  military  force  adequate  to  deal  with 
the  situation. 

Abraham  Lincoln  had  been  elected  President  to  succeed  James 
Buchanan,  and  was  inaugurated  at  Washington  on  March  4,  1861, 
under  peculiar  and  critical  circumstances.  The  capital  of  the 
nation  was  filled  with  conspirators,  and  conspiracies  to  seize  the 
capital  were  rife.  It  was  a  critical  time  for  any  ordinary  man  to 
assume  the  reins  of  government.  But  he  was  no  ordinary  man,  as 
after  events  proved. 

His  first  inaugural,  which  was  highly  approved  of  by  the  people 
of  the  loyal  states,  indicated  a  moderate  policy  in  dealing  with  the 
revolted  states.  He  declared  that  it  was  not  the  intention  of  the 
government  to  interfere  with  the  institution  of  slavery  in  the  slave 


2  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

states,  but  was  firm  in  opposing  the  doctrines  of  secession,  and  as 
sured  the  people  of  all  the  states  protection  under  the  Constitution. 

To  overcome  resistance  to  enforcement  of  federal  laws  in  the 
rebellious  states,  he  at  first  called  for  a  volunteer  force  of  seventy- 
five  thousand  men  to  serve  three  months.  These  troops  were 
promptly  furnished  by  the  governors  of  the  loyal  states,  but  it  was 
soon  realized  that  such  a  force  was  altogether  unequal  to  meet  the 
emergency,  and  that  a  more  considerable  army  was  needed  to  cope 
with  forces  which  had  been  gathered  and  organized  by  the  Con 
federate  leaders.  It  was  judged  also  that  a  longer  term  of  service 
would  be  required,  as  the  subjugation  of  the  states  in  revolt  might 
take  years  to  accomplish. 

Under  the  circumstances,  the  President,  on  May  3, 1861,  issued 
a  proclamation  calling  for  a  force  of  volunteers  to  serve  for  three 
years,  unless  sooner  discharged.  At  that  time  a  great  number  of 
military  companies  were  in  process  of  formation  in  the  cities  and 
towns  of  the  Commonwealth.  The  capture  of  Sumter,  and  other 
acts  of  aggression  by  the  rebels,  had  intensified  the  feeling  against 
the  secessionists,  and  large  numbers  of  men  were  ready  and  even 
anxious  to  enlist  in  the  services  of  the  government.  At  this  junc 
ture  the  following  order  was  issued  by  command  of  Governor 
Andrew : 

"HEADQUARTERS,  BOSTON,  MAY  22,  1861. 
GENERAL  ORDERS,  No.  12. 

The  President  of  the  United  States,  by  his  proclamation  of  the 
third  day  of  May  current,  having  called  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  to  aid  in  the  enforcement  of  the  lawTs  and  the  sup 
pression  of  insurrection,  a  Force  of  Volunteers  to  serve  for  a  period 
of  three  years,  unless  sooner  discharged,  and  to  be  enrolled  and 
organized  in  a  manner  to  be  made  known  through  the  Department 
of  War;  and  the  plan  of  organization  adopted  for  this  force,  in  ac 
cordance  with  the  Proclamation  of  the  President,  having  been 
published  in  General  Order  No.  15,  from  the  Adjutant  General's 
office  in  Washington,  on  the  fourth  day  of  May  current,  and  His 
Excellency  the  Governor  and  Commander-in-Chief  having  been 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  3 

this  day  notified  that  the  quota  of  these  volunteers  to  be  furnished 
by  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  is  fixed  at  Six  Regiments 
of  Infantry,  to  be  organized  as  prescribed  in  said  General  Orders 
No.  15  from  the  War  Department,  so  much  of  said  orders  as  relates 
to  the  Regiments  of  Infantry  to  be  organized  under  them  is  directed 
to  be  printed  for  general  information.' ' 

The  "Plan  of  Organization"  was  appended  to  the  Adjutant- 
General's  promulgating  order.  This  six  regiments  called  for  were 
promptly  organized  and  furnished,  and  five  more  regiments  were 
ordered  into  camp  in  the  state,  under  the  provisions  of  an  act  of 
the  legislature,  by  General  Order  No.  16,  issued  June  1st.  On  the 
17th  of  June  ten  more  regiments  were  requested  by  the  General 
Government,  and  others  were  accepted  from  time  to  time,  so  that 
Massachusetts  had,  on  January  1,  1862,  about  36,000  men  serving 
as  three  years'  troops. 

Among  the  regiments  thus  brought  into  existence  was  the  one 
which  is  the  subject  of  this  history,  namely : 

THE  SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEER  IN 
FANTRY. 

This  regiment  (or  rather  the  companies  composing  it)  was 
recruited  principally  in  Essex  County,  one  company  being  recruited 
in  Middlesex  and  one  in  Suffolk.  The  regiment  was  composed 
mostly  of  stalwart  working-men,  shoemakers,  tanners,  weavers 
and  other  mechanics,  representing  all  the  principal  nationalities 
in  the  state  at  that  time — English,  Irish,  Scotch  (in  fact,  one  of  the 
companies,  H,  was  known  as  the  British  Volunteers),  French, 
German,  natives  of  the  British  Provinces,  but  yet  a  large  majority 
of  the  men  were  native  Americans. 

The  difficulties  encountered  by  the  people  in  getting  into 
military  organization  were  many  and  trying,  though  perhaps  the 
state  authorities  were  not  altogether  to  blame  for  the  delays  com 
plained  of.  In  a  little  work  by  the  compiler  of  this  history,  entitled 
"Soldiering  in  South  Carolina  by  one  of  the  Seventeenth,"  pub 
lished  in  1864,  the  matter  is  set  forth  as  viewed  in  the  early  days 
of  the  war.  It  says: 


4  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

"  Recruiting  for  this  regiment  commenced  as  early  as  the  fall 
of  Fort  Sumter,  but  owing  to  the  embarassed  condition  of  the 
state,  the  hesitation  of  the  General  Government  in  regard  to  ac 
cepting  troops,  and  the  want  of  authority  on  the  part  of  the  Gov 
ernor  to  act,  the  regiment  was  obliged  to  wait  from  wreek  to  week 
without  any  decisive  answer  as  to  the  intention  of  the  government 
concerning  its  organization.  The  companies  were  formed  on  the 
militia  basis,  were  desirous  of  regimental  organization  and  to  be 
mustered  into  the  service,  but  every  effort  in  that  direction  seemed 
to  be  counteracted.  While  other  regiments  were  splendidly  pro 
vided  for  by  private  munificence,  and  hurried  off  to  the  seat  of 
wrar,  this  regiment  was  unprovided  by  the  state  with  an  organi 
zation,  clothing,  arms,  equipments  or  rations.  An  opinion  pre 
vailed  at  one  time  that  all  idea  of  a  regimental  organization  must  be 
given  up,  and  the  companies  enter  the  United  States  service 
through  some  other  state  organization.  Captain  Fuller  of  Danvers 
and  Captain  Bay  of  Haverhill  determined  to  bring  the  matter  to  a 
focus.  They  visited  the  Governor,  and  after  several  ineffectual 
efforts  to  obtain  an  audience,  at  length  succeeded,  and  informed 
His  Excellency  that  they  were  going  into  the  army  and  should 
take  their  commands  with  them ;  that  they  wanted  to  go  in  a  Massa 
chusetts  regiment,  and  unless  accepted  by  the  state  would  go  into 
the  Mozart  Regiment  of  New  York,  as  one  or  two  other  companies 
from  Massachusetts  had  already  done.  Orders  were  given  them 
by  the  Governor  to  go  into  camp  at  Lynnfield.  The  other  com 
panies  of  which  this  regiment  is  composed,  were  ordered  to  the 
same  place,  and  all  arrived  there  between  the  10th  and  12th  of 
July." 

Camp  Schouler,  at  Lynnfield,  which  was  formed  on  July  10 
1861,  was  the  place  where  the  various  companies  composing  the 
Seventeenth  were  assembled.  It  was  in  command  of  Col.  Lyman 
Dike,  of  the  Seventh  M.V.  M.,  who  was  detailed  to  command 
the  new  regiment,  no  colonel  having  been  commissioned.  Colonel 
Dike  was  a  most  capable  and  efficient  officer.  He  at  once  establish 
ed  a  school  of  instruction  and  drill  for  the  officers  of  the  regiment, 
and  soon  had  it  in  a  tolerable  condition  of  military  discipline. 

At  Lynnfield,  the  routine  of  camp  life  began.     It  was  a  life  of 


COL.  THOMAS  I.  C.  AMORY. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  5 

strenuous  duty  that  was  to  continue  for  an  indefinite  time  in  an 
uncertain  future  of  hazardous  occupation  amid  "  moving  accidents 
by  flood  and  field."  But  the  future  did  not  seem  to  be  viewed 
with  apprehension  by  the  men  who  had  cast  off  the  old  life  and 
taken  on  the  new  for  the  preservation  of  the  integrity  of  their 
native  or  adopted  country. 

Day  after  day  the  new  companies  of  the  Seventeenth  were 
exercised  in  drill  and  manual  of  arms,  at  first  in  squads,  then  in 
companies,  and  lastly  in  battalion  movements.  Dress  parade, 
inspection,  etc.,  came  at  frequent  intervals.  The  drill  sergeants 
soon  had  the  "  awkward  squads' '  in  good  shape;  the  squads  in  com 
panies  were  drilled  by  their  officers,  and  the  companies  in  battalion 
formation  were  drilled  in  regimental  movements  by  the  colonel 
commanding. 

Marches  over  the  rough  country  roads  were  frequently  made 
to  accustom  the  men  to  rapid  movement  in  military  formation,  to 
toughen  and  accustom  them  to  the  kind  of  service  they  would  have 
to  undergo  in  active  campaigning. 

This  camp  life  and  duty,  though  strenuous,  was  not  altogether 
without  its  compensation.  There  were  many  of  those  sunny, 
optimistic  souls  among  the  men,  who  made  life  more  pleasant 
by  their  vocal  powers,  their  wit  and  humor,  their  practical  jokes, 
more  comical  than  harmful,  and  there  were  laughable  episodes  in 
which  officers  as  well  as  men  were  often  involved,  all  of  which 
contributed  to  make  life  in  camp  more  tolerable.  Then  the  men 
thus  brought  together  were  making  new  acquaintances  and  friends, 
acquiring  new  ideas  from  their  disciplinary  experience,  getting 
accustomed  to  a  new  mode  of  living,  and  gaining  health  by  living 
on  plain,  wholesome  food  and  sleeping  practically  in  the  open  air. 
Men  whose  occupations  had  been  pursued  indoors,  often  in  poorly 
ventilated  factories,  found  here  a  new  life  in  the  open  air  with  its 
exhilerating  influence.  Furthermore  they  were  acquiring  habits 
which  made  their  new  life  and  occupations  not  only  tolerable, 
despite  its  hardships,  but  actually  agreeable.  It  is  true  that  the 
rigid  and  exacting  discipline  which  they  were  subjected  to  was 
more  or  less  irksome  at  first,  but  this  wore  off  as  discipline  became 
habitual. 


6  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Altogether,  this  organization  of  men  of  various  trades  and 
occupations  soon  came  to  know  one  another,  to  fraternize,  to  be 
cheerful  and  even  jolly,  to  acquire  an  esprit  de  corps  so  dear  to  all 
comrades,  and  to  take  up  the  burden  of  military  duty  and  patri 
otism  like  true  sons  of  the  militant  races  from  which  they  sprang. 


CHAPTER    II. 


ROSTER  OF  FIELD  AND  STAFF,  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF,  BAND 
AND  COMPANY  OFFICERS  OF  THE  SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT, 
AND  OF  ALL  ENLISTED  MEN  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  REGIMENT. 

LIST  OF  ABBREVIATIONS 

Art.— Artillery  k.— Killed 

Assig. — Assigned  Must. — Mustered 

Bat.  — Battalion  M.  O. — Mustered  out 

Com. — Commissioned  no  fur.  reo. — No  further  record 

Co. — Company  organ. — Organization 

d.— Died  pris.— Prisoner 

disabil. — Disability  pro. — Promoted 

Disch. — Discharged  rec. — Recommended 

drum. — Drummed  re-enlist. — Re-enlisted 

Expir. — Expiration  regt. — Regiment 

gr. — Grave  regtl. — Regimental 

H.  Art. — Heavy  Artillery  ser. — Service 

hon. — Honorably  sub. — Substitute 

hospl. — Hospital  transf. — Transferred 

Inf.— Infantry  vols.— Volunteers 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Thomas  I.  C.  Amory,  Col.;  33;  Sept.  2,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  reorgan.  regt. 

John  F.  Fellows,  Col.;  Oct.  9,  '64;  Chelsea;  not  mustered. 

Henry  Splaine,  Col';  27;  June  16,  '65;  Haverhill ;  not  mustered  as  Col. 

John  F.  Fellows,  Lt.  Col.;  July  21,  '61;  Chelsea;  pris.  of  war.  Feb.  1,  '64;  M.  O.  Aug.  9,  '64. 

Henry  Splaine,  Lt,  Col.;  27;  Aug.  10,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

William  W.  Smith,  Lt.  Col.;  27;  June  16,  '65;  Danvers;  M.  O.  as  major. 

Jones  Frankle,  Major;  32;  July  22,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  promotion  to  Col.  2d  H.  Art., 

Dec.  28,  '63. 

Luther  Day,  Major;  33;  Dec.  29,  '63;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Henry  Splaine,  Major;  27;  Aug.  4,  '64;  Haverhill;  promoted  Lt.  Col.,  Aug.  10,  '64. 
William  W.  Smith,  Major;  27;  Aug.  4,  '64;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  E.  Mullally,  Major;  26;  June  16,  '65;  South  Danvers;  M.  O.  asCapt. 
Isaac  F.  Galloupe,  Surgeon;  37;  July  10,  '61;  Lynn;  pris.  of  war;  Feb.  1,  '64;  M.  O.  Aug. 

3, '64;brevettedLt.  Col. 
William  H.  W.  Hinds,  Asst.  Surg.;  27;  July  22,  '61;  Boston;  promoted  Surg.  12  Mass.; 

Reg.  May  26,  '63. 

Charles  G.  A.  Eayrs,  Asst.  Surg.;  Aug.  16,  '62;  Lowell;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  W.  Clark,  Asst.  Surg.;  27;  July  6,  '63;  Boston;  transf.  to  F.  and  S.,  New  Organ. 
Barnabas  N.  Mann,  1st  Adjt.  Lt.;  37;  July  10,  '61;  Chelsea;  relieved  as  Adjt,,  and  assigned 

to  Co.  D.;  wounded  at  Goldsboro,  Dec.  17,  '62;  d.  in  Rebel  prison  Oct.  8,  '64. 
Henry  A.  Cheever,  Adjt.;  23;  Feb.  20,  '62;  Chelsea;  wounded  pris.  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64; 

M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Levi  P.  Thompson,  Regtl.  Qm.;  37;  July  10,  '61;  Cambridge;  pro.  Capt.  Co.  D,  Jan.  9,  '62. 
Robert  Harris,  1st  Lt.  and  Regtl.  Qm.;  Jan.  9,  '63;  Haverhill;  pro.  Capt.  Com.  of  Subs., 

U.  S.  Vols.,  Nov.  26,  '62. 

Horace  Dexter,  1st  Lieut,  and  Regtl.  Qm.;  37;  Jan.  1,  '63;  Cambridge;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  D.  Haley,  Chaplain;  37;  July  22,  '61;  Rochester,  Mass.;  resigned  May  30,  '62. 
William  P.  Colby,  Chaplain;  Sept.  2,  '62;  Amesbury;  resigned  Nov.  2,  '63. 
Henry  F.  Poor,  Sgt.  Major;   22;   July  10,  '61;  Stoneham;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Jan.  24,  '62;  assigned 

to  Co.  B. 

Laurentia  Bailey,  Sgt.  Major;  32;  Oct.  25,  '61;  Greveland;  disch.  for  disabil.  April  2,  1863. 
Linus  B.  Comins,  Jr., Sgt.  Major;  19;  April  1,'62;  Roxbury;  pro.  2d  Lt.  May  28,  '62;  assigned 

to  Co.  F. 
John  B.  Hill,  Sgt.  Major;  43;  April  2,  '61;  Haverhill;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Aug.  13,  '62;  assigned  to 

Co.  H. 

John  F.  Mills,  Sgt.  Major;  25;  Feb.  14,  '62;  Bradford;  transf.  to  Co.  H.;  re-enlist.  Dec.  31,  '63. 
William  H.  Osgood,  Sergt.  Major;  24;  July  21,  1861,  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability 

April  3,  1862,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

James  H.  Stuart,  Sergt.  Major;  27;  July  1,  '84;  Boston;  transf.  to  reorg.  N.  C.  S. 
Horace  Dexter,  Qm.  Sgt.;  35;  July  22,  '61;  Cambridge;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Feb.  9,  '62;  assig.  to  Co.  F. 
Story  D.  Poole,  Qm.  Sgt.;  32;  July  22,  '61;  Rockport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Alfred  C.  Taggart,  Qm.  Sgt.;  Aug. '61;  Haverhill;  no  further  record  in  Ad  jt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Henry  T.  Merrill,  Com.  Sgt,;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  pro.  2d  Lt,  Aug.  26,  '62,  assigned  to 

Co.  B. 
Henry  B.  Webber,  Com.  Sgt.;  27;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  reorg.  N.  C.  S.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64. 
George  O'Neill,  Hosp'l  Steward;  32;  July  10,  '61;  Lyrmfield;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  2,  '62 

at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Edward  P.  Getting,  Hosp'l  Steward;  25;  Sept.  1,  '63;  Worcester;  trausf.  to  reorg.  N.  C.  S.; 

pris.  of  war  Feb.  1,   '64. 

C.  P.  Morse,  Hosp'l  Steward;  July  22,  '61;  Lynnfield;  disch.  Aug.  7,  '62. 
Leonard  J.  Sawyer,  Jr.,  Prin.  Mus.;  27;  Feb.  26,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disabil.  Sept.  30, 

'62. 

Arthur  Hall,  Leader;  41 ;  Aug.  '61 ;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
Abner  Barnard,  Musician;  29;  Nov.  4,  '61;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
Daniel  Boardman,  Musician;  42;  Aug.  '61;  Georgetown;  M.  O.  Aug.  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
Charles  A.  Boyd, Musician;  Oct.  24,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
Samuel  Bradbury,  Musician;  31 ;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
Henry  B.  Brown,  Musician;  23;  Oct.  23,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
William  Chambers,  Musician;  25;  July  22,  '61;  No.  Andover;  disch.  Dec.  7,  '61,  at  Baltimore, 

Md. 

Horsefall  Dewhirst,  Musician;  27;  Aug.  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
William  A.  Garrett,  Musician;  Sept.  1,  '61;  Lowell;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
William  A.  Hall,  Musician;  14;  Aug.,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
Benjamin  Hills,  Musician;  27;  Aug.  '61;  Georgetown;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
Nathaniel  C.  Keith,  Musician;  Oct.  24,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  b'inds. 
Joseph  G.  Knight,  Musician;  30;  Aug.,  '61;  So.  Boston;  M.  O.  .  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
Robert  Lloyd,  Musician;  28;  Aug.  '61;  Manchester,  N.  H.;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out 

bands. 

John  M.  Lovett,  Musician;  36;  Aug.  '61;  Lowell;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
John  E.  Mills,  Musician;  35;  Feb.  26,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  Oct.  3,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
Henry  H.  Moody,  Musician;  41;  Aug.,  '61;  Roxbury;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
William  H.  Moody,  Musician;  15;  Aug.,  '61;  Roxbury;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
John  P.  Morrison,  Musician:  19;  Aug.  '61;  Rowley;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62:  must,  out  bands. 
Luther  S.  Munroe,  Musician;  32;  Aug.,  '61;  So.  Danver;  disch.  July,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 
Charles  Packer,  Musician;  23;  July  22,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  17,  '61; 


COL,  JOHN  F.  Fi: 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR   CREDIT. 

Charles  O.  Radcliffe,  Musician;  33;  Aug.  '61;No.  Andover;  M.  O.  Aug.,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 

John  Robbius,  Musician;  34;  Aug.,  '61;  Lowell;  disch.  July  11,  '62. 

Alois  S.  Smith,  Musician;  27;  Aug.  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 

Temple  Tebetts,  Musician;  54;  Aug.  '61;  Lowell;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 

Esau  Wells,  Musician;  21 ;  Aug.  '61 ;  Biddeford,  Me.;  M.  O.  Aug.  30,  '62;  must,  out  bands. 

John  Dennis,  Musician;  29;  Aug.  '61 ;  Lawrence;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 

Orlando  F.  Osgood,  Musician;  41 ;  Aug.  '61 ;  Haverhill;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office.  Mass. 

David  F.  Brown,  Capt.;  34;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Newburyport;  resigned  Jan.  30,  '62. 

Sidney  C.  Bancroft,  Capt.;  35;  Aug.  21,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  resigned  Dec.  IS,  '61. 

Nehemiah  P.  Fuller,  Capt.  31 ;  Aug.  21,  '61 ;  Danvers;  transf.  July  30,  '63  to  2d  H.  Art. 

George  H.  Morrell,  Capt.;  29;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Salisbury;  resigned  Jan.  8,  '62. 

Michael  C.  McNamara,  Capt,;  30;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Luther  Day,  Capt.;  32;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Haverhill;  Major,  Dec.  29,  '63. 

George  W.  Kenney,  Capt.;  31;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Danverg;  wounded  at  Goldsboro  Dec.  19,  '62: 

M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  K.  Lloyd,  Capt.;  38;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Boston;  pris.  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64;  M.  O.  Mar.  12,  '65. 
Thomas  Weir,  Capt.;  33;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Lawrence;  dismissed  July  2,  '62  by  G.  C.  M. 
Joseph  R.  Simonds,  Capt.;  43;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Melrose;  must,  out  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Enoch  F.  Tompkins,  Capt.;  30;  Dec.  19,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug3,  '64;  Recom. 
Levi  P.  Thompson,  Capt.;  Jan.  9,  '62;  Cambridge;  d.  Sept.  20,  '62. 
Henry  Splaine,  Capt,;  24;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Haverhill;  wounded  at  Winton  July  26,  '63;  Major, 

Aug.  4,  '64. 

William  W.  Smith,  Captain;  24;  July  3,  '62;  Danvers;  Major,  Aug.  4,  '64. 
Ivory  N.  Richardson,  Capt.;  24;  Sept.  25,  '62;  Maiden;  Aug.  3,  1864,  expir.  of  service. 
John  E.  Mullaly,  Capt.;  24;  Dec.  29,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  Major  June  16,  1865. 
Malcolm  Sillers,  Capt.;  26;  Aug.  4,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as  1st  Lt. 
Charles  O.  Fellows,  Capt.;  20;  Aug.  4,  '64;  Chelsea;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service. 
James  Splaine,  Capt.;  24;  Aug.  10,  '64;  Haverhill;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service. 
Joseph  A.  Moore,  Capt.;  21;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Gloucester;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service. 
Henry  B.  Webber,  Capt.;  29;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Groveland;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service. 
Lewis  Cairn,  Capt,;  24;  Nov.  21,  '64;  Danvers;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service. 
Thomas  R.  Keenan,  Capt,;  27;  Feb.  3,   '65;  Lynnfield;  wounded  in  battle  of  Wilderness; 

July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service. 

Horace  Dexter,  Capt.;  39;  June  16,  '65;  Cambridge:  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as  1st  Lt. 
Barnabas  N.  Mann,  1st  Lt.;  37;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Chelsea;  wounded  at  Goldsboro  Dec.  17,  '62; 

d.  October  8,  '64,  in  rebel  prison. 

Levi  P.  Thompson,  1st  Lt.;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Cambridge;  Capt.,  Jan.  9,  '62. 
Thomas  W.  Foster,  1st  Lt.;  33;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Newburyport;  resigned  Jan.  8,  '62. 
Robert  B.  Bancroft,  1st  Lt.;  25;  Aug.  21,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  resigned  Dec.  12,  '61. 
William  W.  Smith,  1st  Lt.;  23;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Danvers;  Capt.  July  3,  '62. 
Jere  A.  Greeley,  1st  Lt,;  27;  Aug.  21,  '61 ;  Salisbury;  Aug.  25,  '63,  Capt.  2d  H.  Art. 
Henry  Splaine,  1st  Lt.;  24;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Haverhill;  Capt.,  Jan.  31,  '62. 
Enoch  F.  Tompkins,  1st  Lt.;  30;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Haverhill;  Capt.,  Dec.  19,  '61. 
George  W.  Tufts,  1st  Lt.;  33;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Rockport;  d.  Oct.  27,  '61,  Baltimore,  Md. 
John  S.  Hammond,  1st  Lt.;  30;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Boston;  resigned  May  15,  '62. 
Michael  Burns,  1st  Lt.;  21;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Lawrence;  resigned  Jan   17,  '62. 
Ivory  N.  Richardson,  1st  Lt.;  23;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Maiden;  Capt.  Sept.  25,  '62. 
William  H.  Turner,  1st  Lt.;  24;  Oct.  28,  '61;  Haverhill;  resigned  April  25,  '63. 
John  E.  Mullaly,  1st  Lt.;  22;  Dec.  13,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  Capt.,  Dec.  29,  '63. 
Ruel  B.  Pray,  1st  Lt.;  24;  Dec.  19,  '61;  Danvers;  resigned  Aug.  9,  '62. 
Robert  Harris,  1st  Lt.;  Jan.  9,  '62;  Haverhill;  Dec.  31,  '62;  Com.  Sub.  U.  S.  Vol. 
Edward  T.  Parkinson,  1st  Lt,;  23;  Jan.  9,  '62;  West  Roxbury;  July  7,  '63,  Asst.  Adjt.  Gen. 

Vols. 
James  Maroney,  1st  Lt.;  24;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Haverhill;  resigned  Aug.  12,  '62. 


10  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Henry  A.  Cheever,  1st  Lt.;  Feb.  20,  '62;  Chelsea;  wounded  prisoner  war  Feb.  1,  '64;  Aug. 

3,  '64,  expir.  of  service. 

Archibald  Bogle,  1st  Lt.;  22;  May  28,  '62;  Melrose;  May  20,  '63,  Maj.  35th  U.  S.  Col.  Troops. 
Thomas  F.  Newton,  1st  Lt,;  33;  July  3,  '62;  Haverhill;  Transf.  2d  N.  C.  Union  Vols.;  July 

11,  '65,  expir.  of  service. 
Ezekiel  F.  Mann,  1st  Lt.;  25;  Aug.  13,   '62;  Boston;  wounded  at  Goldsboro  Dec.  17,   '62; 

resigned  May  16,  '63. 

Charles  O.  Fellows,  1st  Lt.;  22;  Aug.  13,  '62;  Chelsea;  Capt.  Aug.  4,  '64. 
Henry  Poor,  1st  Lt.;  23;  Sept.  25,  '62;  Stoughton;  resigned  Dec.  23,  '62. 
James  Splaine,  1st  Lt.;  22;  Dec.  24,  '62;  Haverhill;  Capt,  Aug.  10,  '64. 
Horace  Dexter,  1st  Lt.;  37;  Jan.  1,  '63;  Cambridge;  Aug.  3,  '64;  expir.  of  service,  recom. 
Thomas  R.  Keenan,  1st  Lt.;  25;  Apr.  26,  '63;  Lynnfield;  wounded  in  battle  of  Wilderness 

Mar.  19,  '64,  Capt,  56th  Inft. 
Linus  B.  Coming,  Jr.;  1st  Lt.;  20;  May  17,  '63;  Roxbury;  prisoner  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64;  Aug. 

3,  '64,  expir.  of  service. 
John  B.  Mill,  1st  Lt.;  45;  May  21,  '63;  Haverhill;  prisoner  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64;  Mar.  11,   '65, 

expir.  of  service. 

Philip  C.  Mason,  1st  Lt.;  28;  July  8,  '63;  Newburyport;  Aug.  3,  '64,  expir.  of  service. 
Joseph  W.  Day,  1st  Lt.;  31;  Aug.  26,  '63;  Bradford;  pris.  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64;  Mar.  15, '65, 

expir.  of  service. 

Horace  Dexter,  1st  Lt.;  38;  Aug.  3,  '64;  Cambridge;  Capt.  June  15,  '65. 
Lewis  Cann,  1st  Lt.;  24;  Aug.  4,  '64;  Danvers;  Capt.  Nov.  21,  '64. 
Joseph  A.  Moore,  1st  Lt.;  21;  Aug.  15,  '64;  Gloucester;  Capt.  Sept,  1,  '64. 
Henry  B.  Webber,  1st  Lt.;  29;  Aug.  15,  '64;  Groveland;  Capt.  Sept.  1,  '64. 
Malcolm  Sillars,  1st  Lt.;  26;  Sept.  1,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  Capt.  Aug.  4,  '64. 
Henry  G.  Hyde,  1st  Lt.;  22;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Danvers;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service. 
James  H.  Stuart,  1st  Lt.;  29;  Nov.  21,  '64;  Boston;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service. 
James  Smith,  1st  Lt, ;  31;  June  1,  '65;  Danvers;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as  2d  Lt. 
Uriah  Robertson,  1st  Lt.;  30;  June  1,  '65;  Danvers;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as  2d  Lt. 
Edward  P.  Cotting,  1st  Lt,;  27;  June  1,  '65;  Worcester;  prisoner  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64;  July  11, 

'65,  expir.  of  service  as  2d  Lt. 
Orrin  B.  Cooley,  1st  Lt.;  39;  June  1,  '65;  Longmeadow;  July  11,  '65;  expir.  of  service  as  2d 

Lt. 
Timothy  Hawkes,  1st  Lt.;  28;  June  1,  '65;  Danvers;  prisoner  of  war,  Plymouth,  N.  C.  April 

20,  '64;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as  2d  Lt. 

Robert  Smith,  2d  Lt.;  31;  June  16,  '65;  Danvers;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as  1st  Sgt. 
Thomas  W.  Goodwin,  2d  Lt.  34;  Aug.  21,  '61 ;  Newburyport;  resigned  Feb.  8,  '62. 
John  E  Mullaly,  2d  Lt,;  22;  Aug.  21,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  1st  Lt.  Dec.  13,  '61. 
RuelB.  Pray,2dLt.  24;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Danvers;  1st  Lt.  Dec.  19,  '61. 
Benjamin  F.  Chesley,  2d  Lt.;  22;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Haverhill:  resigned  Dec.  27,  '61. 
James  Maroney,  2d  Lt.;  23;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Haverhill;  1st  Lt.  Jan.  31,  '62. 
William  H.  Turner,  2d  Lt,;  24;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Haverhill;  1st  Lt.  Oct.  28,  '61. 
Alfred  M.  Channell,  2d  Lt.;  29;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Rockport;  resigned  Jan.  17,  '62. 
Robert  W.  McCourt,  2d  Lt.;  29;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Boston;  resigned  Nov.  2,  '61. 
Archibald  Bogle,  2d  Lt, ;  21 ;  Aug.  21,  '61 ;  Melrose;  1st  Lt.;  May  28,  '62. 
Henry  W.  Oliver,  2d  Lt.;  31;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Maiden;  resigned  Feb.  6,  '62. 
Thomas  F.  Newton,  2d  Lt, ;  32 ;  Oct  28,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  1st  Lt.  July  3,  '62. 
Ezekiel  F.  Mann,  2d  Lt.;  24;  Nov.  3,   '61;  Boston;  wounded  at  Goldsboro,Dec.l7,'62; 

1st  Lt.  Aug.  13, '62. 

Charles  O.  Fellows,  2d  Lt.;  19;  Dec.  13,  '61;  Chelsea;  1st  Lt.;  Aug.  13,  '62. 
Henry  Poor,  2d  Lt.;22;  Dec.  19  '61;  Stoneham;  IstLt.  Sept.  25,  '62. 
Edward  T.  Parkinson,  2d  Lt,;  23;  Jan.  11/62;  West  Roxbury  1st  Lt.  Jan.  9,  '62. 
James  Splaine,  2d  Lt.;  23;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Haverhill;  1st  Lt.  Dec.  24,  '62. 
Horace  Dexter,  2d  Lt.;  36;  Feb.  9,  '62;  Cambridge;  1st  Lt.  Jan  1,  '63. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  1  1 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR   CREDIT. 

Thomas  R.  Keenan,  2d  Lt,;  24;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Lynnfield;  1st  Lt.  Apr.  26,  '63. 

George  T.  Russell,  2d  Lt.;  Feb.  19,  '62;  Boston;  resigned  Sept.  18,  '62. 

Charles  C.  Morse,  2d  Lt,;  29;  Feb.  20,  '62;  Haverhill;  resigned  Mar.  23,  '63 

Linus  B.  Comins,  Jr.,  2d  Lt.;  19;  May  28,  '62;  Roxbury;  pris.  of   war  Feb.  1,  '64;  1st  Lt. 

May  17,  '63. 

Henry  T.  Merrill,  2d  Lt.;  24;  July  3,  '62;  Haverhill;  resigned  May  11,  '63. 
Andrew  Cook,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Aug.  13,  '62;  Danvers;  resigned  April  26,  '63. 
John  B.  Hill,  2d  Lt.;  44;  Aug  13,  '62;  Haverhill;  1st  Lt.  May  21,  '63. 
Philip  C.  Mason,  2d  Lt.;  27;  Sept.  25,  '62;  Newburyport;  1st  Lt,  July  8,  '63. 
Joseph  W.  Day,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Sept.  30,  '62;  Bradford;  1st  Lt.  Aug.  26,  '63. 
Daniel  L.  Getchell,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Dec.  24,  '62;  Wells,  Me.;  Aug.  3,  '64,  expir.  of  service. 
Sylvanus  M.  Sovereen,  2d  Lt.  23;  Jan.  1,  '63;  Maiden;  Aug.  3,  '64,  expir.  of  service. 
Samuel  G.  Roberts,  2d  Lt.;  21;  March  24,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  wounded  twice;  Aug.    3,  '64, 

expir.  of  serivce. 

Lewis  Cann,  2dLt,;23;  April  26,  '63;  Danvers;  1st  Lt.  Aug.  4,  '64. 
James  Inman,  2d  Lt.;  25;  Apr.  27,  '63;  Danvers;  Aug.  3,  '64,  expir.  of  service. 
Joseph  A.  Moore,  2d  Lt.;  20;  May  17,  '63;  Gloucester;  1st  Lt.  Aug.  15,  '64. 
Malcolm  Sillars,  2d  Lt.;  26;  July  4,  '64;  Danvers;  1st  Lt.  Sept.  1,  '64. 
Henry  G.  Hyde,  2dLt.;22;  July  4,  '64;  Danvers;  1st  Lt,  Sept.  1,  '64. 
James  Smith,  2d  Lt,;  30;  Aug.  2,  '64;  Danvers;  1st  Lt.,  June  1,  '65. 
Orrin  B.  Cooley,  2d  Lt.;  39;  Feb.  7,  '65;  Longmeadow;  1st  Lt.,  June  1,  '65. 
Patrick  Breen,  2d  Lt.;  Feb.  7,  '65;  never  mustered. 
Marcus  A  Hanna;  Feb.  7,  '65;  Rockport;  2d  Lt.  2d  H.  A.  Jan.  21,  '65. 
Eben  Simonds,  2d  Lt.;  24;  Feb.  7,  '65;  Maiden;  July  11,  '65  expir.  of  service. 
Uriah  Robertson,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Feb.  7,  '35;  Danvers;  1st  Lt.  June  1,  '65. 
Edward  P.  Cotting,  2d  Lt.;  27;  Feb.  7,  '65;  Worcester;  pris.  of  war,  Feb.  1,  '64;  1st  Lt.  June 

1, '65. 

Timothy  Hawkes,  2d  Lt.;  28;  Mar.  24,  '64;  Danvers;  1st  Lt.  June  1,  '65. 
Robert  Smith,  2d  Lt.;  31;  June  1,  '65;  Danvers. 

Joseph  A.  Welch,  2d  Lt.;26;  June  1,  '65;  Haverhill;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as  IstSgt. 
John  Cowan,  2d  Lt,;  22;  June  1,  '65;  Salisbury;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as  1st  Sgt. 
Brotherton  Martin,  2d  Lt.;  25;  June  1,  '65;  Newburyport;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as- 

1st  Sgt, 

Thomas  A.  Murray,  2d  Lt.;  22;  June  1,  '65;  Lynn;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as  1st  Sgt. 
John  Dunn,  2d  Lt.;  33;  June  1,  '65;  Newburyport;  d.  June  3,  '65,  as  1st  Sergt. 
Thomas  S.  Clymonts,  2d  Lt.;  33;  June  16,  '65;  New  Bedford;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as 

1st  Sgt. 

Joseph  G.  Martin,  2d  Lt.;  39;  June  16,  '65;  Danvers;  July  11,  '65  expir.  of  service  as  1st  Sgt. 
Joseph  G.  Kelley,  2d  Lt.;  37;  June  16,  '65;  Haverhill;  July  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service  as  1st  Sgt. 
George  \V.  Hewes,  2d  Lt.;  28;  June  16, '65;  Haverhill;  July  11/65,  expir.  of  serv.as  Qm.  Sgt. 


COMPANIES  OF  THE  SEVENTEENTH. 


BRIEF    SKETCHES    OF   THEIR    FORMATION    AND    RATES. 

The  call  to  arms  in  the  spring  of  1861,  at  the  outset  of  the 
Civil  War,  was  nowhere  more  promptly  responded  to  than  in  the 
Old  Bay  State.  There  was  a  fine  spontaniety  in  the  inception  of 
movement  in  the  various  cities,  towns  and  hamlets  of  the  state 
towards  the  formation  of  military  companies.  Not  only  were  the 
patriotic  men  of  the  state  willing  and  ready  to  peril  their  lives  for 
the  perpetuation  of  the  Union,  but  the  patriotic  women — mothers, 
wives  and  sisters — united  to  aid  and  cheer  them  on. 

The  following  brief  sketches  of  the  movements  leading  to  the 
enlistment  of  men,  and  the  formation  of  companies  to  compose  the 
Seventeenth  Regiment  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry  will 
fully  confirm  and  illustrate  this.  The  rosters  of  the  companies 
are  also  given. 


COMPANY  "A"  OF  NEWBURYPORT. 


"  CITY  GRAYS." 

(The  following  account  of  the  formation  of  Company  UA" 
of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry  has  been 
contributed  by  Comrade  Joseph  C.  Richardson  of  Newburyport, 
one  of  the  original  members  of  that  company,  who  was  one  of  the 
first  to  respond  to  the  request  for  information  of  that  kind  from 
comrades,  making  him  in  that  respect  "A  No.  l"of  the  contrib- 


COMPANY  A.  13 

utors  to  this  history.  It  will  be  seen  that  he  goes  directly  into 
his  subject  arid  makes  a  good  narrative  of  it.) 

On  April  23,  1861,  a  notice  to  the  citizens  of  Newburyport  and 
vicinity  was  circulated,  calling  for  volunteers  to  form  another  com 
pany  in  Newburyport  for  the  Union  cause.  In  a  few  clays  over 
seventy  men  were  enlisted  for  three  years,  and  were  drilled  every 
day  and  evening,  except  Sundays,  in  Essex  Hall,  corner  of  Essex 
arid  State  Streets,  by  Capt.  John  Remick,  and  by  others  who  had 
some  military  knowledge. 

On  May  22d,  by  order  of  Governor  Andrew,  an  election  of 
officers  by  the  men  enlisted  was  held,  under  the  supervision  of  Ma 
jor  Ladd  of  Boston.  David  F.  Brown  was  elected  captain;  Thomas 
W.  Foster,  1st  lieutenant;  William  Bell,  2d  lieutenant;  Thomas  W. 
Goodwin,  3d  lieutenant;  Alfred  Horton,  4th  lieutenant. 

This  company  was  called  the  "City  Grays."  The  city  of 
Newburyport  furnished  it  with  a  very  fine  uniform  of  gray  cloth, 
with  dark  trimmings,  at  a  cost  of  about  $1500.  The  company,  in 
its  new  uniform,  made  a  splendid  appearance. 

On  application  of  Captain  Brown,  the  city  of  Newburyport 
gave  the  "Gun  House' '  to  his  company  for  barracks,  and  also  gave 
ten  days'  rations  for  the  men  who  were  to  quarter  there.  The 
men  took  up  their  quarters  at  this  place  on  July  4th  at  noon. 

On  July  llth,  in  response  to  General  Order  No.  26,  calling  for 
volunteers  to  serve  for  three  years,  or  the  war,  the  City  Grays, 
Captain  Brown  commanding,  took  the  cars  at  the  Boston  &  Maine 
Railroad  Station,  to  go  to  Camp  Schouler  in  Lynnfield.  They 
were  accompanied  by  the  Newburyport  Band  and  the  Wallace 
Guards  of  Amesbury, — Captain  Morrill  of  Amesbury  commanding 
that  company. 

Large  gatherings  of  people  cheered  them  as  they  marched  to 
the  station,  and  the  young  volunteers  had  a  grand  send-off  to  their 
new  quarters.  The  City  Grays  were  assigned  their  position  in 
Camp,  and  the  Wallace  Guards  of  Amesbury,  afterwards  Co.  D; 
were  given  positions  next  to  them. 

After  the  assignment  of  positions  it  was  military  duty  con 
tinuously — guard  duty,  company  and  battalion  drills,  dress 
parade,  inspection,  fatigue  duty,  doctors'  calls,  "peas  on  a  tren- 


14  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

cher/'  reveille,  taps,  etc.  It  was  the  good  old  summer-time,  and 
the  boys  enjoyed  it.  When  not  on  duty,  some  were  playing 
practical  jokes  on  some  raw  recruit  and  amusing  each  other  accord 
ing  to  their  several  fancies. 

Ten  companies  from  several  cities  and  towns  having  been  as 
sembled  in  Camp  Schouler,  and  organized  as  the  Seventeenth 
Regiment  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry,  the  work  of  assigning 
them  to  their  positions  in  the  line  was  carried  out.  The  New- 
buryport  City  Grays  were  now  to  be  Company  A  of  the  regiment. 
Two  lieutenants,  William  Bell  and  Alfred  Horton  resigned  or  were 
discharged  as  commissioned  officers  of  the  company,  each  com 
pany  now  having  but  two  lieutenants  instead  of  four,  in  conformity 
with  the  plan  of  organization  promulgated  by  the  War  Department. 

The  company  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  July  22,  1861,  at  Camp  Schouler,  Lynnfield,  Mass.  The 
men  of  the  company  were  now  furnished  with  a  new  uniform  of 
blue  material,  similar  to  that  worn  by  the  infantry  of  the  Union 
Army,  and  discarded  the  gray  one  given  them  by  the  city  of  New- 
buryport.  Company  A,  with  the  other  companies  of  the  regi 
ment,  left  Lynnfield  August  23,  and  went  into  camp  at  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  remaining  there  several  months. 

The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  company: 

ORIGINAL  COMPANY  "A". 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR   CREDIT. 

David  F.  Brown,  Capt.;  34;  May  10,  '61 ;  Newburyport;  resigned  Jan.  30,  '62. 

Henry  Splaine,  Capt.  24;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  new  company  "A". 

Thomas  W.  Foster,  1st  Lt.;  33;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  resigned  Jan.  8,  '62. 

RuelB.  Pray,  1st  Lt.;  24;  Jan.  10,  '62;  Danvers;  resigned  Aug.  9,  '62. 

Archibald  Bogle,  1st  Lt.;  21;  May  28,  '62;  Melrose;  pro.  Maj.,  35th  U.  S.  C.  Troops,  May  20, 

'62;  tranf.  from  Co.  C  to  Co.  A,  May  20,  '62. 

Charles  O.  Fellows,  1st  Lt,;  22;  Aug.  13,  '62;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  Co.  G,  May  5,  '63. 
JohnB.  Hill,  lstLt.;45;  Jan.  30,  '64;  Haverhill;  pris.of  war,  Feb.  1,  '64;  disch.  Mar.  15,  '65. 
Thomas  W.  Goodwin,  2d  Lt.;  34;  May  10,  '61 ;  Newburyport;  resigned  Feb.  8,  '62. 
George  T.  Russell,  2d  Lt.;  Feb.  19,  '62;  Boston;  resigned  Sept.  18,  '62. 

Philip  C.  Mason, 2d  Lt.;  27;  Sept.  25,'62;  Newburyport;  pro.lst  Lt.  Feb.18,'64;  assig.  to  Co.  H. 
Joseph  A.  Moore,  2d  Lt.;  20;  May  17,  '63;  Gloucester;  transf.  Co.  C,  Jan.  28,  '64. 
Samuel  G.  Roberts,  2d  Lt.;  21;  April  15,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Philip  C.  Mason,  1st  Sgt.;  25;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Sept.  25,  '62. 
John  Q.  A.  Johnson,  1st  Sgt.;  24;  May  10,  '61;  Amesbury;  disch.  for  wounds,  Sept.  10,  '63. 
John  Dunn,  1st  Sgt.;  29;  May  10,'61;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  New  Co. A;  re-enlist.July  5/64. 


COMPANY  A.  15 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF   ENLISTMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR   CREDIT. 

Joseph  C.  Richardson,  1st  Sgt.;  20;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Wiley,  Sgt.;  25;  May  10,  '61;  Reading;  d.  Oct.  3,  '63,  at  Xewbern,  X.  C. 
William  H.  Osgood,  Sgt,;  24;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  pro.  Sgt.Major  Jan.  17,  '62. 
Paul  A.  Perkins,  Sgt.;  20;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  18,  '63. 
Elisha  Young,  Jr.,  Sgt.;  33;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  transf.  to  Xew  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan- 

2,  '64. 

William  Rankin,  Sgt. ;  38;  April  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  disch.  for  dsiability,  Sept,  25,  '62. 
Thomas  W.  Goodwin,  Sgt.;  34;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Aug.  20,  '61. 
Albert  F.  Austin,  Corp.;  May  10,  '64;  Xewburyport;  transf.  to  Xew  Co.  D;  re-list.  Jan.  5,  '64. 
George  Bradbury,  Corp.;  2,8;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  pro.  Capt.  July  17,  '63,  21  X.  C. 

Colored  Vols. 
George  W.  Cook,  Corp.;  IS;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  disch.  for  disability;  Xov.  23,  '62, 

Xewbern,  X.  C. 

James  W.  Davis,  Corp.;  19;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Joseph  Doring,  Corp.;  41;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  disch.  for  disability,  Jan.  29,  '63. 
Joseph  W.  Haines,  Corp.;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  disch.  for  disability  May  9,  '62. 
.Samuel  W.  Reed,  Corp.;  23;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  disch.  for  disability,  Dec.  5,  '63. 

wounded,  April  9,  '63. 

Ebenezer  Cressey,  Corp.;  43;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  d.  Xov.  30,  '62,  Xewbern,  X.  C. 
William  Splaine,  Corp.;  29;  Sept.  2,  '62;  Haverhill;  tranf.  to  Co.  E. 

Jeremiah  B.  Hill,  Corp.;  42;  Oct.  15,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65;  re-enlist.  Dec.  27,  '63. 
Richard  G.  Mayo,  Corp.;  30;  May  10,  '61;  Chelsea;  disch.  for  disablity,  Apr.  13,  '62. 
Richard  Withington,  Corp.;  23;  May  10,  '61 ;  Xewbury;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Lewis  F.  Besee,  Corp.;  38;  May  10,  '61;  Xo.  Chelsea;  transf.  to  Xew  Ob.  F.;  re-enlist.  Jan. 

4, '64. 
Andrew  J.  Tilt  on,  Corp.:  20;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  tranf.  to  Xew  Co.  A.;  re-enlist. 

Jan.  5,  '64. 

Alexander  Poison,  Musician;  25:  May  10,  '61 ;  Lowell;  disch.  for  disability  June  19,  '64. 
Albert  Richardson,  Jr.,  Musician;   14;  May  10,  '61;  Stoneham;  disch.  for  disability  Sept. 

.3,  '62. 
Thomas  Carter,  Wagoner;  25;  May  10,  '61 ;  Xewburyport;  dischar.  for  disability  at  Baltimore, 

Md.,  Sept.  24, '61. 

Asa  Lakeman,  Wagoner,;  May  10,  '61 ;  Ipswich;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  9,  '62. 
Francis  J.  Adolphus,  Private;  22;  May  10, '61;  Amesbury;   discharged  for  disabil.  Oct.  6,  '61  . 
Thomas    Ahem,  Private;  26;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;    transf.  to  Xew  Co.  A;  re-enlist, 

Jan.  4,  '64. 

Joseph  Alley,  Jr.,  Private;  29;  May  10,  '61 ;  Xewburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Henry    Bel,  Private;  24;  Oct.  10,  '61 ;  Brookline;  tranf.  to  Xew  C     o.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,'64. 
Isaac  T.  Bickford,  Private;  29;  Dec.  26,  '61;  Georgetown;  d.  at  Baltimore,  ML,  Jan.  29,  '62. 
Edward  W.  Blandin,  Private;  44;  May  10,  '61;  Stoneham;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  24,  '61. 
Wheaton  L.  Bliss,  Private;  24;  Aug.  19,  '62;  Seekonk;   M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64;   transf.  from  Co.  D 

to  Co.  A,  Oct.  22,  '62; 

John  Blodgett,  Private;  24;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Sturbridge;  transf.  to  Xew  Co.  B. 
Patrick  Bohan,  Private;  26;  Jan.  15,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  Xew  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan.  15,  '64. 
Charles  E.  Bradbury,  Private;  25;  May  20/61 ;  Xewburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  13, '63  . 
George  W.  Brown,  Private;  30;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  disch.  for  disiability  May  2,  '63; 

wounded  Dec.  14,  '62. 

John  Burke,  Private;  35;  May  10/61;  Xewburyport;  tranf.  to  Xew  Co.  A;  re-enlis.  Jan.  2/64. 
Xathaniel  H.  Burpee,  Private;  26;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James    Calnan,  Private;  35;  May  10,  '61;  Stoneham;  disch.  for  disability  at  Xewbern,  X.  C., 

Feb.  2,  '63. 

Thoma-s  Carter,  Private;  July  22, '61;  Xewburyport;  disch.  for  disability,  Sept.  24,  '64. 
Rufus  W.  Chandler,  Private;  33;  May  10,  '61;  Xewburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  18, 

'62.  at  Boston,  Mass. 


16  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR   CREDIT. 

Charles  A.  Cheever,  Private;  38;  Jan.  18, '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B,  re-enlist.  Jan. 

15,    '64. 

Thomas  B.  Chipman,  Private;  21;  Aug.  1,  '62;  Bradford;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  11,  '62, 
George  I.  Clapp,  Private;  20;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Chelsea;  re-enlisted  transf.  to  New  Co.  A. 
William  D.Cloutman,  Private;  30;  Aug.  12, '62;  Marblehead;  disch.  for  disabil.  Sept.  11/63. 
James  Cogger,  Private;  19;  Oct.  26,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disabilty  Nov.  15,  '61. 
Thomas  G.  Cogger,  Private;  21;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disabilty  Sept.  6,  '62; 

at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

David  Cole,  Private;  28;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64. 
James  Connor,  Private;  35;  July  30,  '61;  Lynnfield;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  2,  '63. 
John  Conner,  Private;  23;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  1,  '61,  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 
Albert  J.  Cook,  Private;  20;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.   5,    '64. 
John  Conboy,  Private;  21;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Lynn;  re-enlisted  Jan.  5,  '64;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.; 

pris.  of  war  March  10,  '65. 
George  L.  Coughlin,  Private;  39;  May  10,   '61;    Burlington,  Vt.;  disch.  for  disability  Dec. 

1,  '61  at  Baltimore. 

John  H.  Couilliard,  Private;  21;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  May  12,  '62 

at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Alvin  O.  Cressey,  Private;  28;  May  10,  '61 ;  Ipswich;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  H.  Currier,  Private;  30;  May  10,  '61 ;  Melrose;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  26,  '62. 
Thomas  Curtin,  Private;  26;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

6,   '64. 

Eben  K.  Danforth,  Private;  22;  May  10,  '61;  Georgetown;  disch.  for  disability  July  24,  '62. 
William  M.  Davis,  Private;  39;  Oct.  7,  '61;  Fall  River;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

March  14,   '64. 
Aretus  H.  Dillingham,  Private;  28;  May  10,    '61;  Newburyport ;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.; 

re-enlisted  Jan.  1,  '64. 

Michael  Dooley,  Private;  39;  Sept.  2,  '62;  Lynn;  transf.  to  New  Co. A.;  re-enlis.  Jan.  1/64. 
Albert  Drown,  Private;  32;  May  10/61;  Newburyport;  d.  Feb.  13,  '64m  at  Beaufort,  N.  C. 
Daniel  J.  Dwyer,  Private;  21;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.   1,    '64. 
Dennis  Dwyer,  Private;  20;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,    '64. 
Frederick  Eaton,  Private;  28;  Jan.  1,  '62;  Maiden;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

2,  '64. 

Willard  Edmunds,  Private;  38;  May  10,  '61;  Saugus;  transf.  U.  S.  Navy  Mar.  4,  '64;  re-en 
listed  Jan.  1,  '64. 

Thomas  Fahey,  Private;  45;  Feb.  1,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Feb.  1,  '64. 

Martin  Fallen,  Private;  35;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

George  W.  Fisher,  Private;  31;  Sept.  2,  '62;  Charlestown;  disch.  for  disability  June  22,  '63. 

George  E.  Flanders,  Private;  24;  April  27,  '61;  Salisbury;  deserted  Aug.  7,  '61. 

John  L.  S.  Flanders,  Private  26;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  deserted  Mar.  20,  '62. 

Enos  Floyd,  Private;  40;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Samuel  J.  Ford,  Private;  19;  Oct.  26,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  E.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 
4,  '64. 

Robert  Fowle,  Private;  17;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  no  fur.  rec.  Adj.  Gen.  Office,  Mass. 

James  H.  Foye,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '63. 

Cassius  M.  C.  French,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Boston;  d.  June  1,  '62  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Henry  F.  Fuller,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Melrose;  d.  Oct.  6,  '61,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

William  Gannon,  Private;  19;  May  10/61;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 
Jan.  1,  '64. 

Isaac  H.  Gould,  Private;  36;  Oct.  24,  '61;  Amesbury;  d.  June  29,  '62,  at  Newbern,  X.  C. 


COL.  HKXKY  SPI.AIXE  AS  CAPTAFX  1862-3. 


COMPANY  A.  17 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

John  W.  Gower,  Private;  31;  Nov.  1,  '61;  Baltimore,  Md.;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  10,  '62, 

at  Baltimore,  Md. 
Nathaniel  Gurney,  Private;  21;  May  10,   '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  11, 

'62. 

Benjamin  F.  Hall,  Private;  19;  May  10,  '61 ;  Georgetown;  deserted  Aug.  24,  '61. 
Stephen  S.  Hall,  Private;  29;  June  3,  '64;  Upton;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
William  Havlin,  Private;  26;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  deserted  Aug.  23,  '61. 
George  W.  Hews,  Private  ;  44;  Jan.  3,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

5,   '64. 
Richard  Higston,  Private;  45;  Jan.  15,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

15,  '64. 
"William  N.  Hopkinson,  Private;  25;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  June 

14,  '62. 

Alfred  Horton,  Private;  33;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen.  office,  Mass. 
James  Hubbard,  Private;  21;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  3,  '63. 
Thomas  H.  Jackman,  Private;  20;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Robert  W.  Jessup,  Private;  36;  Oct.  22,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  Oct.  14,  '64. 
Samuel  R.  Kemp,  Private;  30;  May  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Edward  W.  Kendell,  Private;  18;  Aug.  8,  '62;  Melrose;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64 
Packard  Kennedy,  Private;  27;  Dec.  26,  '61;  Georgetown;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  4,  '64. 
George  W.  Kezar,  Private  ;  19;  May  10,   '61;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,   '64;  wounded 

Apr.  9,  '63. 
Samuel  Kezar,  Jr.,  Private;   Aug.  16,  '61;    Newburyport;    transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;    re-enlist. 

Jan.  5,   '64. 

Charles  W.  Keyes,  Private;  19;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Leonard,  Private;  35;  Feb.  2,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Feb.  2,  '64. 
William  F.  Lent,  Private;  30;  May  10, '61;  Newburyport;  wounded  at  Goldsboro  Dec.  17, 

'62;  disch.  for  wounds  May  14,  '63,  at  Boston,  Mass. 
Andrew  P.  Lewis,   Private;  20;  May  10,  '61;   Newburyport;    transf.  to   New  Co.  A  and  F; 

ic-enlist.  Jan.  4,  '64. 

Charles  Lang,  Private;  22;  May  10,  '61;  Georgetown;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  23,  '63. 
Daniel  Lynch,  Private;  19;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  tranf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan. 

5, '64. 

George  W.  Lynde,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61 ;  Melrose;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  Mace,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  d.  Dec.  22,  '61  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
John  Mahoney,  Private;  42;  November  12,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  S.  Marcey,  Private;  18;  Aug.  8,  '62;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  11,  '62. 
James  I.  Marshall,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  re-enlisted  Jan.    5,    '64;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 

William  W.  Marshall,  Private;  22;    Jan.  22,  '62;  Newburyport;  tranf.  to  New  Co.  A.;    re 
listed  Jan.  1, '64. 
Dennis  McCarty,  Private;  25;  May  10,  '61;  Boston;  tranf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64; 

d.  in  service. 
Patrick  McCarthy,  Private;  19;  Oct.  18,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Dec. 

12, '63. 
James  McKnight,  Private;   19;  May  10/61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  wounds  June  2, '63; 

wounded  Dec.  16,  '62;  loss  of  leg. 

John  or  John  W.  McKnight,  Private;  21 ;  Feb.  17,  '62;  Newburyport;  tranf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
James  McWilliams,  Private;  34;  May  10,  '61 ;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  April  2 ,  '63. 
Lewis  J.  Merrill,  Private;  34;  Sept.  2,  '62;  Lynn;  transf.  to  Co.  E.  Oct.  1,  '62. 
Dennis  Murphy,  Private;  26;  Sept.  2,  '61;  Lynn;  disch.  March  5,  '64;  lost  leg  in  service,  '63; 
Thomas  A.  Murray,  Private;  18;  Sept.  2,  '61;  Lynn;  tranf.  to  New  Co.  A;  wounded  April  9, '63; 

re-enlist.  January  1,  '64. 


18  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR   CREDIT. 

David  Noble,  Private;  29;  No.  11,  '61;  Maiden;  tranf.  to  Co.  D,  Dec.  12,  '61. 

Benjamin  L.  Nolan,  Private;  19;  Jan.  19,  '64;  Lynn;  re-enlist.  Jan.  19,  '64;  transf.  to  New 

Co.  A. 
Joseph  H.  Norris,  Private;    23;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  15'  61;  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 

Edgar  A.  Parker,  Private;  25;  Nov.  2,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 

Henry  Parks,  Private;  23;  Jan.  18,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlist.  Jan.  18,  '64. 
Francis  Peabody,  Private;  19;  Aug.  11,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  d.  in  service. 
Willliam  F.  Pearson,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61 ;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '6i. 
Joseph  Perkins,  Private;  21;  Aug.  11,  '62;  Newbury;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan.  4, 

'64;  pris.  of  war  March  8,  '65. 

Alvin  W.  Phillips,  Private;  21 ;  June  21,  '61 ;  Boston;  deserted  Feb.  9,  '62. 
Thomas  G.  Poor,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  O:-t.  14,  '61  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 
Sylvester  Powell,  Private;  25;  Jan.  19,  '64;  Lynn;  re-enlisted  Jan.  19,  '64:  transf.  to  New 

Co.  B. 
Morrison  Proctor,  Private;  35;  Oct.  21,  '61;  Groveland;  disch.  from   Regt.    Hospit.  Nov.  14, 

'61,  for  disability. 
John  Purtell,  Private;  42;  Dec.  10,  '63;  Newburyport;  re-enlist.  Dec.  10,  '65;  transf.  to  New 

Co.  B. 
Richard  Purtill,  Private;  18;  March  1,  '62;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist. 

Jan  4,  '64. 
Albert  Remington,  Private;  22;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Starbridge;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64;  transf.  to  New 

Co.  A. 

Ezra  Remington,  Private;  18;  May  29,  '64;  Starbridge;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Albert  Richardson,  Private;  44;  May  10,  '61;  Stoneham;  disch.  for  disability,  Sept.  21,  '62. 
William  G.  Roberts,  Private;  26;  May  10,  '61 ;  Lawrence;  deserted  Aug.  24,  '61. 
Benjamin  P.  Rogers,  Private;  18;  May  10, '61;  Newbury;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist. 

Jan.  1,  '64. 

Albert  P.  Sargent,  Private;  30;  July  22,  '62;  Roxbury;  transf.  to  V.  R.  C.  Mar.  12,  '64. 
Benjamin  A.  Sargent,  Private;  24;  Feb.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  F;  re-enlist. 

Feb.  29,  '64. 

James  L.  Smith,  Private;  21;  May  10,  '61;  Worcester;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Samuel  Smith,  Private;  25;  May  10,  '61 ;  Newburyport;  d.  at  Park  Barracks,  New  York  City. 

May  27,  '63. 

Joseph  G.  Spates,  Private;  22;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  deserted  Aug.  24,  '61. 
George  W.  Stanwood,  Private;  21 ;  May  10,  '61 ;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3   '64. 
Thomas  W.  Stevens,  Private;  18;  May  10, '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disabil.June  23,  '63. 
Michael  Sullivan,  Private;  29;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  re-enlist.  Jan.  4,  '64;  transf.  to 

New  Co.  A  and  D. 

Patrick  J.  Sullivan,  Private;  38;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  May  18,  '63. 
Andrew  Templeton,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist. 

Jan.  4,  '64. 

Alphonso  AV.  Thomas,  Private;  19;  Oct.  8,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A. 
Phillip  B.  Tirrell,  Private;  22;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Joseph  W.  Tracy,  Private;  34;  July  23,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '63. 
Foster  W.  Tripp,  Private;  19;  May  10,  '61;  Portsmouth,  N.  H.;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  6, 

'61. 

Joseph  Wadleigh,  Private;  30;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  deserted  Aug.  24,  '61. 
Martin  Watson,  Private;  18;  Aug.  20,  '61;  Newburyport;  re-enlist.  Jan.  2,  '64;  transf.  "to 

New  Co.  A. 

Michael  Welch,  Private;  34;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  May  4,  '62. 
John  H.  Willis,  Private;  26;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  1,  '61  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 


COMPANY  B.  19 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR  CREDIT. 

Henry  Winkley,  Private;  20;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  26,  '61 
at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Byron  A.  Woodbury,  Private;  23;  Aug.  12,  '62;  Glouchester;  re-enlist.  Jan.  1,  '64;  tranaf. 
to  New  Co.  A. 

Claeb  S.  Woodwell,  Private;  23;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist. 
Dec.  14,  '63. 

Miles  Woodman,  Private;  42;  Nov.  14,  '61 ;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A. 

George  W.  Woodsum,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Hampstead,  N.  H.;  d.  Dec.  19,  '61  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

Arancis  B.  Wyman,  Private;  23;  Jan.  19,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A. 

Osgood  Young,  Private;  21 ;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  28,  '63. 

Peter  Young,  Private;  29;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  deserted  Feb.  28,  '62. 


COMPANY  "B",  SOUTH  DANVERS. 


FOSTER  GUARDS. 

(Major  John  E.  Mullaly  has  furnished  the  following  sketch 
of  the  formation  of  Company  "B"  of  South  Danvers,  called  the 
Foster  Guards,  after  the  late  General  Foster  (not  the  General  Foster 
in  command  in  North  Carolina) . 

U0n  April  19,  1861,  when  the  news  came  that  our  soldiers  had 
been  shot  in  Baltimore,  I,  with  others,  was  talking  about  the  news. 
I  think  there  were  about  twenty  of  us  together — all  young  men. 
I  proposed  that  we  get  a  drum  and  fife  and  march  up  the  main 
street  of  old  South  Danvers,  and  the  spirit  seemed  to  be  there. 
We  got  out  the  drummer,  but  not  the  fifer — instead  we  got  a  bugler. 
We  fell  into  line  in  the  formation  of  twos,  armed  with  canes  and 
sticks.  We  started  from  Harmony  Grove  Ridge  and  marched  to 
the  Town  Hall  in  South  Danvers.  While  on  the  march  we  got 
about  one  hundred  recruits. 

"After  arriving  at  the  Town  Hall  we  rang  the  bell.  It  seemed 
to  me  that  it  brought  out  all  the  men  in  town,  old  and  young,  as 
the  Town  Hall  was  soon  full.  Some  of  the  prominent  men  of  the 
town  made  speeches  in  relation  to  the  war,  which  had  then  actually 


20  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

begun.  Finally,  one  of  the  speakers  suggested  that  those  men  who 
would  be  ready  to  go  in  forty-eight  hours  should  give  their  names. 
There  was  a  list  started,  and  I  think  about  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  men,  old  and  young,  signed  their  names — everybody,  anybody, 
all  seemed  willing  to  go.  They  finally  decided,  after  11  o'clock  at 
night,  to  adjourn  until  the  following  evening,  when  they  would  all 
meet  at  the  same  place. 

"  I  knew  very  little  about  military  affairs  at  that  time.  There 
were  more  names  signed  than  would  fill  a  company.  I  proposed 
at  the  adjourned  meeting  that  all  the  married  men  drop  out,  and 
the  single  men  form  a  company  which  they  did.  We  then  took  a 
vote,  and  voted  to  equip  the  members  with  uniforms.  We  had  a 
tailor  come  from  Boston  and  measure  each  man,  and  our  uniform 
was  gray  with  red  trimmings.  The  adjutant  general  of  the  State 
was  notified  about  the  company,  and  he  ordered  an  election  of 
officers.  A  meeting  for  that  purpose  was  held,  and  a  man  by  the 
name  of  John  Denny  was  elected  captain  at  first,  but  this  was  not 
satisfactory  to  the  men,  and  he  did  not  serve.  After  two  evenings ' 
struggle,  however,  Lieutenant  Sydney  C.  Bancroft  was  elected 
captain  in  his  place.  John  E.  Mullaly  was  elected  second  lieu 
tenant. 

"The  town  would  not  give  up  the  uniforms  because  there  was 
a  prospect  that  the  governor  would  not  need  the  company.  The 
Ninth  Massachusetts  Regiment  expected  orders  to  go  to  the  front, 
and  they  were  short  of  men.  Some  officers  of  that  regiment  came 
to  our  town,  and  got  about  forty  men  from  our  company  to  go 
with  them.  In  a  short  time  we  received  orders  from  the  adjutant 
general  of  the  State  to  go  into  camp  in  our  respective  towns  without 
pay  or  equipment.  Captain  Bancroft  received  the  order  and 
turned  it  over  to  me. 

"I  was  captain  of  the  company  for  about  one  year,  and  took 
great  pleasure  in  serving  in  so  good  a  company.  My  record  of  it 
is  that  not  one  man  was  placed  in  the  guardhouse  for  misdemeanor 
of  any  kind. 

The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  company : 


COMPANY  B.  21 

ORIGINAL  COMPANY  "B". 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR   CREDIT. 

Sidney  C.  Bancroft,  Capt.;  35;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  resigned  Dec.  18,  '61. 

Enoch  F.  Tompkins,  Capt.;  30;  Dec.  19,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Robert  B.  Bancroft,  1st  Lt.;  25;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  resigned  Dec.  12,  '61. 

John  E.  Mullaly,  1st  Lt.;  22;  Dec.  13,  '61;  Salem;  pro.  Capt.  assigned  to  Co.  F. 

Charles  O.  Fellows,  1st  Lt.;  19;  Aug.  13,  '62;  Chelsea;  pro.  Capt.;  Aug.  19,  '64;  assigned  to 

New  Co.  F. 

John  E.  Mullaly,  2d  Lt.;  21;  May  10,  '61;  Salem;  pro.  1st  Lt.  Co.  B.  Dec.  13,  '61. 
Henry  Poor,  2d  Lt,;  23;  Dec.  19,  '61;  Stoneham;  pro.  1st  Lt.  Co.  F. 

Linus  B.  Comins,  Jr.,  2d  Lt.;  20;  May  28,  '62;  Roxbury;  transf.  to  Co.  D.  Feb.  13,  '63. 
Henry  T.  Merrill,  2d  Lt.;  24;  July  3,  '62;  Haverhill;  resigned  May  11,  '63. 
Joseph  A.  Moore,  2d  Lt.;  20;  May  17,  '63;  Gloucester;  transf.  to  Co.  E,  Sept.  20,  '63. 
Daniel  Getchel,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Dec.  24,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  E,  Nov.  1,  '63. 
Herbert  E.  Larrabee,  1st  Sgt.;  24;  May  10, '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disabil.  Apr.  5,'63. 
Stephen  F.  Jones,  1st  Sgt.;  22;   May  10,  '61;  Salem;  wounded  Dec.  17,  '62,  at  Goldsboro; 

disch.  for  disability  Feb.  7,  '63. 

Edward  F.  Farnham,  1st  Sgt.;  21;  Aug.  22,  '61:  Charlestown;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Benjamin  R.  Arlington,  Sgt.;  24;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Mullaly,  Sgt.;  19;  May  10,  '61;  Salem;  disch.  Feb.  7,  '63. 
Samuel  G.  Roberts,  Sgt,;    19;   May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Co.  G.  Mch.  24,  '63; 

wounded  Dec.  17,   '62. 

Hugh  McKenny,  Sgt.;  21:  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  20,  '62. 
Daniel  Galucia,  Sgt.;  19;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  H.  Leonard,  Sgt,;  29;  May  10,  '61;  Salem;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Riley  Davis,  Sgt.;  20;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Augustus  Buckman,  Corp.;  22;      Aug.  20,   '61;  Lynnfield;  deserted  Jan.  24,  '62. 
Eben  H.  Davis,  Corp.;  20:  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Edward  Cassidy,  Corp.;  22;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Henry  A.  Stone,  Corp.;  18;  Aug.  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  M.  Woodbury,  Corp.;  20;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  ;  re-enlisted 

Dec.  12,  '63. 

Israel  P.  Leavitt,  Corp.;  28;  May  10,  '61;  Salem;  disch.  for  disability  June  23,  '63. 
Charles  E.  Barry,  Corp.;  18;  July  10,   '61;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. ;  re-enlisted 

Dec.  15,  '63. 

Calvin  Chamberlin,  Corp.;  18;  Oct.  19,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  18,  '64,  at  Boston,  Mass. 
Jacob  Galucia,  Corp.;  18;  Nov.  4,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 

Abraham  Bond,  Musician;  15;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  13,  '63. 
Samuel  E.  Tucker,  Musician;  16;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  5,  '64. 

George  Buxton,  Wagoner;  24;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Action,  Private;  30;  Dec.  23,  '63;  Danvers;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Daniel  C.  Adams,  Private;  30;  May  10,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  W.  Bancroft,  Private;  20;  Sept.  1,   '61;  Baltimore,  Md.;  disch.  for  disability  July 

2,  '62  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Abraham  Barrett,  Private;  34;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  wounded 

Apr.  9,  '63;  re-enlisted  Jan.  4,  '64. 

William  H.  Batchelder,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
James  Battye,  Private;  43;  Aug.  12,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

George  A.  Beckett,  Private;  19;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  14,  '63. 
Charles  F.  Blaisdell,  Private;  24;  Feb.  28,  '64;  Woburn;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
William  Boyle,  Private;  23;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Herman  Brackett,  Private;  44;  Aug.  9,  '61 ;  Lynn;  disch.  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 


22  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR   CREDIT. 

Hiram  Butterfield,  Private;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 

Michael  Buckley,  Private;  19;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

James  A.  Byrne,  Private;  37;  Dec.  11,  '63;  Danvers;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 

John  F.  Carlton,  Private;  24;  April  30,  '61;  Saugus;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Patrick  Carr,  Private;  33;  Aug.  4,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  June  23,  '63,  at  New- 

bern,  N.  C. 

Jeremiah  Carroll,  Private;  20;  May  10,  '61:  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Dennis  Cashman,  Private;  18;  Jan.  18,  '64;  Danvers;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
John  Chambers,  Private;  30;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Chambers,  Private;  24;  Aug.  22,   '61;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Dec.  4,   '63. 
James  Clark,  Private;  25;  May  10,   '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  May  10,   '63,  at 

Newbern,  N.  C. 

David  Coleman,  Private;  44;  Aug.  12,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Conway,  Private;  30;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Joseph  Cooper,  Private;  42;  Feb.  17,  '64;  Boston;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B. 
Patrick  Cronin,  Private;  31;  May  10,  '61;  Salem;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Joseph  F.  Dakin,  Private;  27;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64. 

Charles  H.  Davis,  Private;  21;  Feb.  2,  '64;  Andover;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
John  Dempsey,  Private;  23;  May  10,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Henry  M.  Derx,  Private;  17;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C;  re-enlist.  Dec. 

26,  '63. 
John  Desmond,  Private;  35;   May  10,  '61;  Salem;  wounded  Dec.  17,  '62:  disch.  for  wounds, 

May  6,  '63. 

John  Devine,  Private;  25;  May  10,  '61 ;  Salem;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Peter  Devine,  Private;  18;  Nov.  18,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  re-enlist.;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Edward  Duke,  Private;  23;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

William  H.  Eaton,  Private;  18;  Jan.  13, '64;  Lynn;  re-enlist.  Jan.  13/64;  transf.  to  New  Co.C. 
George  E.  Farnham,  Private;  19;  May  10,  '61 ;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  21,  '62. 
Robert  M.  Field,  Private;  32;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  wounded  Dec.  17,  '62;  M.  O.  Aug. 

3, '64. 

Lawrence  Fox,  Private;  39;  May  10,  '61 ;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Fraher,  Private;  25;  Dec.  29,  '63;  Lynn;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Thomas  Gallagher,  Private;  23;  May  9,  '61 ;  So.  Reading;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  Gallagher,  Private;  33;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  served  in  war  with  Mexico  in  1st  Reg. 

Mass.  Vols.;  disch.  for  disability  May  30,  '63,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Henry  Galucia,  Private;  21;  Oct.  24,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  2,  !62,  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 

Perley  Galucia,  Private;  19;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  July  11,  '62. 
Pulaski  Galucia,  Private;  25;  Oct.  15,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  Oct.  14,  '64,  expir.  of  service. 
Patrick  Gaynor,  Private;  32;  Dec.  30,  '63;  Fall  River;  re-enlist,  transf.  to  new  organ. 
David  Gleason,  Private;  41;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  tranusf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlist,  Feb. 

15,  '64. 
Martin  Goldthwait,  Private;  21;  Oct.  24,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  wounded  July  26,  '63;  disch. 

Oct.  22,  '64,  expir.  of  term. 
Aaron  Guilford,  Private;   23;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;    transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;    re-enlist. 

Dec.  17,  '63. 

David  B.  Hackett,  Private;  29;  May  10,  '61 ;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  E. 
Thomas  Hancock,  Private;  21;  Feb.  15,  '64;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C;  enlist,  at  New 
bern,  N.  C. 

John  Hart,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61 ;  Salem;  re-enlist,  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Thomas  Hartman,  Private;  42;  July  10/61;  Danvers:  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  13,   '62. 
Cornelius  Harrigan,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61 ;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 


COMPANY  C.  27 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR   CREDIT. 

James  Inrnan,  Sgt.;  23;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers:  pro.  2d  Lt.,  Co.  D,  Apr.  23,  '63. 

Robert  Smith,  Sgt.;  27;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B. ;  re-enlisted  Jan.  5,  '64. 

Charles  F.  Brown,  Corp.;  27;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  old  Co.  E,  Aug.  6,  '62. 

George  H.  Putney,  Corp.;  28;  July  11,  '61 ;  Danvers;  transf.  to  old  Co.  E,  Aug.  6,  '62. 

Isaac  Bodwell,  Corp.;  38;  July  11,  '61 ;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Joseph  G.  Martin,  Corp.;  35;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Feb.  29,  '64. 

Malcolm  Sillars,  Corp.;  23;  July  11,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  pro.  Sgt. 

Nathaniel  A.  Pope,  Corp.;  23;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Timothy  Hawkes,  Jr.,  Corp.;  24;  July  11,   '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  5,  '64;  prisoner  of  war,  Plymouth,  N.  C.  Apr.  20,  '64. 
David  H.  Ogden,  Corp.;  23;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
David  Cook,  Corp. ;  35;  July  11,  '61 ;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  3,  '63. 
James  Cochran,  Corp.;  23;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Gould,  Corp.;  25;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Fred  A.  Nourse,  Corp.;  22;  Jan.  14,  '62;  Marblehead;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

2,  '64. 
Hiram  T.  Foster,  Musician;  IS;  July  27,  '61;  Cambridge;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.  re-enlisted 

Dec.  9,  '63. 
Henry  Foster,  Musician;  16;  July  27,    '61;  Cambridge;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Feb.  18,  '64. 

Uriah  Robertson,  Wagoner;  26;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  E,  Aug.  6,  '62. 
Lucius  P.  Barnes,  Private;  24;  Aug.  21,  '62;  Holliston;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  23,  '63,  at 

Newbern,  N.  C. 

Samuel  D.  Benson,  Private;  23;  July  11,   '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  11,   '61. 
Aldeii  Bradford,  Private;  21;  Aug.  15,  '62;  Boston;  Aug.  3,  '64,  expir.  of  service. 
Henry  Bradford,  Private;  27;  Aug.  26,  '62;  Charlestown;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '63. 
Charles  A.  Burchstead,  Private;  22;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Joseph  N.  Burchstead,  Private;  29;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  5,    62. 
Warren  A.  Burpee,  Private;  30;  Dec.  29,  '63;  Gloucester;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
James  H.  Burrows,  Private;  25;  July  11,  '61 ;  Danvers;  d.  Dec.  16,  '61,  at  Drummondton,  Va. 
Thomas  Caine,  Private;  33;  Feb.  25,  '64;  Amesbury;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Simeon  Coffin,  Private;  21;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  d.  Dec.  25,  '61,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
George  W.  Coleman,  Private;  25;  Nov.  10,  '63;  Boston;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Francis  D.  Crane,  Private;  26;  July  11,   '61;  Middleton;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  27,   '62. 
William  R.  Crawford,  Private;  19;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Dec.  9,  '63. 

William  H.  Croft,  Private;  17;  July  11,  '61 ;  Danvers;  killed  Apr.  27,  '64,  at  Washington,  N.C. 
John  L.  Cunningham,  Private;  31;  Aug.  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  4,   '64. 

Theodore  Curtis,  Private;  30;  Dec.  3,  '63;  Saugus;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
William  D.  Curtis,  Private;  18;  Dec.  3,  '63;  Saugus;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
John  Daley,  Private;  35;  July  16,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  Nov.  25,  '62:  rejected  recruit  at  New 
bern,  N.  C. 

James  W.  Dickie,  Private;  19;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  16,  '63. 
George  H.  Dole,  Private;  28;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Dec. 

1,    '63. 

Samuel  W.  Durgin,  Private;  22;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  M.  Eagan,  Private;  19;  Nov.  30,  '63;  Maiden;  d.  in  Aiidersonville,  Ga.,  Mar.  26,  '64; 

No.  of  grave,  171. 
George  W.  Elliott,  Private;  22;  July  22,  '61;  So.  Danvers:  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  24,  '63, 

at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

George  Fish,  Private;  43;  Aug.  22, '62;  Holliston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enhV  Jan.  5/64. 
George  W.  Flint,  Private;  18;  Dec.  31,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Justin  Flint,  Private;  21;  July  11,  '61;  Middleton;  d.  Oct.  30,  '61,  Baltimore,  Md. 


28  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR  CREDIT. 

Warren  A.  Flint,  Private;  44;  Dec.  31,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Richard  W.  Fuller,  Private;    19;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Dec.  7,  '63. 

George  H.  Goss,  Private;  18;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Joshua  Goss,  Private;  43;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  4,  '62. 
John  Graham,  Private;  31;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
William  Green,  Private;  19;  Feb.  14,  '64;  Mendon;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Samuel  D.  Gregory,  Private;  16;  Sept.  24,  '62;  Bellingham;  transf.  from  Co.  H,  42d  M.  V.  M. 

M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Robert  Grey,  Private;  22;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  Mar.  4,  '63. 
Robert  B.  Haggerty,  Private;  July  11,  '61;  Lynnfield;  deserted  Aug.  20,  '61. 
James  Harnay,  Private;  21;  Sept.  5,  '62;  Lynn;   M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Harris,  Private;  42;  Oct.  13,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Rufus  Hart,  Private;  26;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Sept,  18,  '63. 
Charles  Hartman,  Private;  18;  July  11,   '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  4,   '64. 

Thomas  Hartman,  Jr.,  Private;  19;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  24,  '63. 
Timothy  Hawkes,  Private;  44;  July  11, '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Sept,  12,  '62,  at 

Newbern,  N.  C. 
Harry  K.  Herman,  Private;  19;  Jan.  26,  '64;   Boston;   transf.  to  New  Co.  E,  from  1st  Bat. 

L.  Art. 

Robert  Hill,  Private;  10;  July  11,  '61;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  2,  '62. 
James  A.  Holt,  Private;  31;  Dec.  9,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  12,  '62. 
Daniel  A.  Hyde,  Private;  38;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  May  10,  '63. 
Henry  G.  Hyde,  Private;  19;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  old  Co.  G,  July  1,  '63. 
Thomas  Hynde,  Private;  41;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  Kearney,  Private;  35;  Oct.  13,   '62;  \Valtham;  transf.  from  Co.  I,  45th  M.  V.  M.; 

M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Thomas  Kelley,  Private;  25;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Roxbury;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Andrew  Kelley,  Private;  40;  Aug.  16,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  18,  '62. 
John  Kelley,  Private;  35;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Jackson  Kennedy,  Private;  31;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Ezra  D.  Kimball,  Private;  23;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '62. 
Michael  Kirby,  Private;  21;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '62. 
Henry  H.  Lane,  Private;  21;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.;  rejected  recruit  Nov.  25,  '62. 
David  P.  Lang,  Private;  24;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Luther  E.  Lawton,  Private;  31;  Aug.  23,  '62;  Maiden;  Aug.  3,  '64,  expir.  of  service. 
Joseph  Leavitt,  Private;  42;  Nov.  22,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  24,  '63. 
James  Lee,  Private;  22;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

William  Lovejoy,  Private;  44;  Aug.  22,  '62;  Holliston;  rejected  recruited;  disch.  Nov.  25,  '62. 
Darling  Lowe,  Private;  42;  Aug.  18,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Sept,  5,  '62. 
James  E.  Lowell,  Private;  22;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  d.  Feb.  11,  '62,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
George  H.  Mabee,  Private;  24;  Sec.  3,  '63;  Roxbury;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Dennis  Mahoney,  Private;  27;  Nov.  22,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Melville  Maley,  Private;  18;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
David  Matheson,  Private;  35;  July  11,  '61;  Lynnfield;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  McCreary,  Private;  36;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Alba  McKay,  Private;  22;  Aug.  22,   '62;  Holliston;  rejected  recruit;  disch.  Nov.  25,   '63. 
Alexander  Moir,  Private;  43;  July  11,  '61 ;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  24,  '63. 
Jonas  S.  Monroe,  Private;  30;  July  11,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Feb.  22,  '64. 

George  E.  Moore,  Private;  24;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  Moore,  Private;  23;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Jan.  4,  '64. 
John  K.  Moore,  Private;  31;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  June  15,  '62. 


COMPANY  C.  29 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Lewis  D.  Moore,  Private;  18;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  Mar.  12,  '62. 

John  B.  Moores,  Private;  26;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  traiisf.  Co.  G;  re-enlisted  Jan.  5,  '64. 

Estwick  E.  Morrill,  Private;  27;  Aug.  22,  '61;  Salisbury;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  7,  '61. 

Archibald  Morrison,  Private;  25;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

George  H.  Moulton,  Private;  28;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Andrew  Mullen  (also  known  as  Millen),  Private;  24;  May  1,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co. 
B.;  re-enlisted  Jan.  1,  '64. 

John  Mundie,  Private;  27;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Owen  Murphy,  Private;  23;  July  11,  '61 ;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

William  J.  Murphy,  Private;  27;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Martin  Murray,  Private;  20;  July  11,  '61;  Danverc:  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Thomas  A.  Musgrave,  Private;  July  11,  '61;  Lynnfield;  d.  July  1861,  at  Lynnfield,  Mass. 

Edward  North,  Private;  19;  Jan.  21,  '62;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  31,  '63. 

Fred  A.  Nourse,  Private;  22;  Jan.  14,  '62;  Marblehead;  transf.  to     New  Co.  B. 

Allen  Nourse,  Private;  21;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  Co.  E. 

James  Nulty,  Private;  18;  Dec.  31,  '63;  Amesbury;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 

William  H.  Ogden,  Private;  21;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 
Jan.  1,  '64. 

Hugh  E.  Peabody,  Private;  27;  Sept,  19,  '62;  Lynn;  transf.  from  Co.  F,  Sth  M.  V.  M.,  9 
months'  troops,  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

David  Pettengill,  Private;  31;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Richard  Poor,  Private;  19;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  30,  '61. 

Richard  Poore,  Private;  19;  Jan.  3,  '62;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  25,  '62;  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

James  M.  Powers,  Private;  32;  Dec.  22,  '62;  Medford;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D,  as  pris.  of  war. 

James  Prince,  Private;  29;  Oct.  28,  '61 ;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Nob.  17,  '61 ;  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

Charles  Putnam,  Private;  21;  Apr.  29,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

George  F.  Putnam,  Private;  23;  July  10,  '61 ;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  E.  Quinn,  Private;  21 ;  Dec.  31,  '63;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D,  as  pris.  of  war. 

Milton  Raddin,  Private;  18;  Dec.  31,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 

William  Reynolds,  Private;  23;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  6,  '63. 

Michael  Riley,  Private;  30;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  2,  '63. 

John  A.  Roberts,  Private;  18;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  3,  '62. 

William  B.  Sargent,  Private;  37;  Oct.  22,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 
Jan.  1,  '64. 

Frank  Scampton,  Private;  39;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  d.  Aug.  29,  '62;  at  Danvers,  Mass. 

George  Scampton,  Private;  32;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  6,  '63. 

Patrick  Sexton,  Private ;20;  July  11, '61;  Danvers;  transf. to  New  Co. B.;re-enlisted  Jan.  1/64. 

John  Shackley,  Private;  33;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  1,  '63. 

Alvin  C.  Shaw,  Private;  July  11,  '61 ;  Lynnfield;  deserted  Aug.  20,  '61. 

Joseph  E.  Shaw,  Private;  18;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

William  Sillars,  Private;  20;  July  11,  '61 ;  Danvers;  d.  Jan.  4,  '62,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Daniel  Smith,  Private;  28;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  d.  Sept,  27,  '62,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

Philip  Sullivan,  Private;  20;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Eldridge  A.  Stiles,  Private;  23;  July  11,  '61;  Middleton,  disch.  for  disability  Sept,  12,  '62. 

James  H.  Stuart,  Private;  27;  Oct.  14,  '62;  Boston;  pro.  Sgt.  Maj.  July  1,  '64;  re-enlisted 
Jan.  1,  '64. 

Jeremiah  Toomey,  Private;      21;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Patrick  Toomey,  Private;  23;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Patrick  Toomey,  Private;  25;  Dec.  23,  '63;  Woburn;  re-enlisted;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 

Patrick  Trainer,  Private;  19;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  d.  Dec.  24,  '61,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Ezra  W.  Watson,  Private;  24;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  4,  '62. 

Charles  F.  Wells,  Private;  18;  Oct.  21,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Feb. 
18,  '64. 


30  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Edward  F.  Wells,  Private;  32;  Aug.  16,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  6,  '63. 
Edwin  G.  Wells,  Private;  18;  Oct.  21,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  expir.  of  service  Oct.  20,  '64. 
John  F.  Wells,  Private;  24;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Jan.  1, 

'64. 

Henry  R.  Wiggin,  Private;  43;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  16,  '63. 
Calvin  W.  Wiggin,  Private;  49;  Nov.  28,  '63;  Medford;  transf.  to  Co.  D,  as  absent  pris.  of  war. 
Joseph  F.  Wiggin,  Private;  18;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Mar.  11,  '63. 
Calvin  W.  Willis,  Private;  49;  Nov.  28,  '63;  Medford;  transf.  to  Co.  I;  d.  in  rebel  prison  July 

17,  '64. 

George  C.  Wilson,  Private;  18;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Jan.  4,  '64. 
Edmund  Woodward,  Private;  24;  July  14,  '63;  Lawrence;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
James  F.  Woodward,  Private;  23;  July  11,  '61 ;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  2,  '63. 
Frederick  Wright,  Private;  28;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  9,  '61,  at 

Baltimore,   Md. 


COMPANY  "D,"  SALISBURY. 


WALLACE    GUARDS. 

(The  following  account  of  Company  "D"  is  taken  from  the 
Massachusetts  Register  and  Military  Record  of  1862.) 

This  company  was  organized  on  May  7,  1861.  Having  re 
ceived  arms  from  the  State  Arsenal,  it  commenced  drill  in  good 
earnest  under  the  efficient  instruction  of  Mr.  E.  P.  Stanwood  of 
West  Newbury.  For  four  or  five  weeks  the  members  performed 
no  other  labors  than  that  which  pertained  to  the  perfecting  of  the 
company  in  the  manual  of  arms,  military  evolutions  and  the  march. 

The  uniform  of  the  company  consisted  of  a  dark  gray  frock 
coat,  pants  and  cap.  The  ladies  made  up  the  uniforms  from  the 
cloth  purchased  by  the  town  and  committee  of  citizens.  Ready 
as  it  now  was  for  the  field,  a  disappointment  awaited  it,  for  the 
Governor  had  not  assigned  the  company  to  either  of  the  camp 
regiments  ordered  by  the  legislature.  Some  of  the  members, 
however,  determined  not  to  be  diverted  from  their  original  pur 
pose  of  going  to  war,  scattered  among  other  companies  already 


COMPANY  D.  31 

ordered  into  regiments.  Twenty-five  members,  with  the  first, 
third  and  fourth  lieutenants,  united  with  the  National  Guards  of 
Newburyport,  which  joined  the  Mozart  Regiment,  then  stationed 
at  Yonkers,  N.  Y.;  and  others  connected  themselves  with  the 
West  Newbury  Rifle  Company  and  West  Amesbury  Mechanic 
Infantry,  until  the  members  were  reduced  to  about  thirty.  Yet 
these  thirty  continued  the  organization,  when  on  the  llth  of  July, 
the  company  was  ordered  into  camp  at  Lynnfield,  as  Company 

D,  Essex  County  Regiment  17th.     Again  it  recruited  to  army 
standard. 

The  company  derived  its  name,  "Wallace  Guards/'  from  Mr. 

E.  P.  Wallace  of  Salisbury — a  young  mechanic  of  limited  means, 
but  generous  patriotism,  who  gave  the  company,  at  its  organiza 
tion,  one  hundred  dollars.     Mr.  Wallace  also  sent  the  following 
note  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and  "its  tone  of  earnest, 
hearty  patriotism  makes  it  worthy  of  being  printed  in  letters  of 
gold." 

"I  am  a  shoemaker  of  limited  means,  but  I  want  to  lend  the 
government  this  hundred  dollars  to  assist  a  little  in  maintenance 
of  its  authority — its  existence. 

"The  reason  I  send  it  to  you  rather  than  invest  it  here  is  that 
I  want  to  give  'Uncle  Sam'  all  the  profit,  and  I  don't  want  any 
interest  on  it.  All  that  I  want  is  that  you  should  send  me  a  govern 
ment  note  promising  to  pay  me  or  bearer  $100  on  demand,  any 
time  after  the  29th  of  August,  without  interest.  If  times  are  hard 
with  the  government  then,  I  will  make  a  goodly  abatement  from 
this.  If  you  are  not  empowered  to  invest  the  money  in  this  way, 
invest  it  in  the  next  way  that  will  be  most  profitable  to  the  govern 
ment. 

"Long  life  to  Uncle  Sam. 

"May  the  blessings  of  God  make  your  efforts  to  save  our 
beloved  country  successful. 

"P.  S.  An  early  return  will  prevent  apprehension  that  this 
did  not  reach  you.  Physical  disability  alone  prevents  my  assisting 
as  a  volunteer." 


32  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

As  the  government  could  not  receive  the  money  on  the  terms 
of  the  letter,  it  issued  to  the  author  the  first  7.3  per  centum 
treasury  note. 

The  town  of  Salisbury  expended  $1100,  and  the  citizens  $700, 
for  the  outfit  and  comfort  of  the  company  in  the  preparation  for 
field  service.  This  expenditure  does  not  include  what  the  town 
paid  for  monthly  bounty  and  the  maintenance  of  the  families  of 
volunteers. 

Of  the  patriotic  acts  of  Mr.  E.  P.  Wallace,  Comrade  C.  E. 
Flanders  of  Co.  D,  writes,  in  addition  to  the  information  above 
given : 

"You  will  note  he  subscribed  one  hundred  dollars  for  the 
company,  and  he  helped  some  of  the  married  men  of  the  company 
while  awaiting  marching  orders,  of  Avhich  no  mention  has  ever  been 
made.  Besides  the  hundred  dollars  he  loaned  the  government, 
later,  when  men  were  needed,  he  offered  to  give  any  man  seventy- 
five  dollars  who  would  go  as  a  substitute  for  him.  It  was  accepted 
by  Frank  Cammett,  who  was  killed  at  Brown's  Ferry,  Tenn. 
Later,  on  hearing  that  an  officer  with  only  one  leg  was  serving  in 
the  army,  he  went  to  Boston  to  a  recruiting  office  and  tried  to 
enlist,  and  I  heard  he  offered  his  services  for  nothing  if  they  would 
take  him,  but  was  told  that  the  reason  that  this  officer  was  retained 
was  that  he  had  lost  his  leg  while  in  the  service,  but  they  could  only 
enlist  sound  men.  He  then  asked  if  the  governor  could  not  inter 
cede  for  him,  but  was  told  that  he  had  no  power  in  the  matter. 
Is  it  any  wonder  that  this  company  was  proud  to  bear  his  name, 
and  that  the  returned  veterans  should  give  his  name  to  their  post, 
the  E.  P.  Wallace  Post  122,  G.  A.  R.  of  Salisbury?  He  is  still 
living,  hale  and  hearty,  at  over  three-score  years  and  ten,  and 
is  often  seen  upon  the  street  in  his  three-wheel  wagon,  propelled  by 
his  hands,  and  is  loved  and  most  sincerely  respected  by  all  classes, 
rich  and  poor  alike." 

The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  company : 


COMPANY  D.  33 

ORIGINAL  COMPANY  "D." 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

GoergeH.  Morrell,  Capt.;  29;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Salisbury;  resigned  Jan.  28,  '61. 

Levi  P.  Thompson,  Capt.;  33;  Jan.  9,  '62;  Cambridge;  d.  Sept.  20,  '62. 

Ivory  N.  Richardson,  Capt.;  23;  Sept,  25,  '62;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Jere  A.  Greeley,  1st  Lt.;  27;  April  27,  '61;  Salisbury;  resigned  and  hon.  disch.,  July  20,  '  63. 

Barnabas  N.  Mann,  1st  Lt.;  36;  Aug.  22,  '61;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  Co.  K,  Nov.  7,  '63. 

Henry  A.  Cheever,  1st  Lt,;  23;  Feb.  20,  '62;  Chelsea;  appointed  Reg.  Adj.  Nov.  25,  '62. 

Thomas  F.  Newton,  1st  Lt.;  34;  July  3,  '63;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 

Benjamin  F.  Chesley,  2d  Lt.;  22;  July  12,  '61;  Haverhill;  resigned  Dec.  27,  '61. 

Linus  B.  Comins,  Jr.,  2d  Lt.;  19;  Apr.  5,  '62;  Roxbury;  transf.  to  Co.  I,  May  19,  '63. 

Henry  T.  Merrill,  2d  Lt.;  25;  July  3,  '62;  Haverhill;  resigned  May  11,  '63. 

Charles  O.  Fellows,  2d  Lt.;  19;  Aug.  31,  '62;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  Co.  A,  Aug.  30,  '62. 

James  Inman,  2d  Lt,;  25;  Apr.  26,  '63;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  H,  June  19,  '64. 

George  I.  Flanders,  1st  Sgt.;  28;  Aug.  10,  '61 ;  Lynn;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  15,  '61. 

Leonard  W.  Phillips,  1st  Sgt.;  23;  Jan.  25,  '62;  Bradford;  transf.  to  hew  Co.  D. 

Thomas  F.  Newton,  Sgt.;  32;  July  12/61;  Haverhill;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Dec.  11, '62;  transf.  to  Co.H. 

William  O.  Coffin,  Sgt.;  27;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Amesbury;  disch.  for  disability  July  26,  '62. 

Simon  F.  Blake,  Sgt.;  33;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Salisbury;  disch.  for  disability  April  26,  '62. 

John  G.  Cowan,  Sgt.;  18;  July  22,  '61;  Salisbury;  transf.  to  New  Co.;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64. 

Edward  H.  Emerson,  Sgt.;  21;  Feb.  14,  '62;  Boston;  d.  at  Sandown,  N.  H.,  Nov.  17,  '63. 

Edwin  A.  Moulton,  Sgt.;  21;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Amesbury;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C;  re-enlist.  Jan. 

4, '64. 

Ariel  S.  Noyes,  Sgt,;  32;  Feb.  5,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C;  re-enlist.  Feb.  16,  '64. 
Brotherton  Martin,  Sgt.;  21;  Aug.  22,  '61;  Newburyport ;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C;  re-enlist. 

Dec.  4,  '63. 

George  Briggs,  Corp.;  18;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Amesbury;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Wingate  Morse,  Corp.;  20;  July  11,  '61;  Amesbury;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Theophilus  Sanborn,  Corp.;  32;  Apr.  27, '61;  Salisbury;  transf.  to  Co.  I,  absent  pris.  of  war; 

re-enlist.  Dec.  4,  '63;  transf.  from  Co.  C  to  Co.  D. 

Cyrus  E.  Kendrick,  Corp.;  31 ;  Apr.  27,  '61 ;  Amesbury;  disch.  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 
Augustus  B.  Flanders,  Corp.;  20;  Aug.  20,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  H.  Lang,  Corp.;  34;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Amesbury;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '63. 
Frank  B.  Poison,  Corp.;  18;  March.  4,  '62;  Lowell;  transf.  from  Co.  C  to  Co.  D;    transf. 

to  New  Co.  D;  re-enlist.  Jan.  4,  '64. 
Solomon  Martin,  Corp.;  18;  Aug.  7,  '61;  Newburyport;  transf.  from  Co.  C  to  Co.  D;  transf. 

to  New  Co.  D.;  re-enlist.  Jan  4,  '64 
Charles  E.  Wells,  Corp.;  19;  Feb.  28,  '62;  Haverhill;  wounded  Dec.  17,  '62;  transf.  to  New  Co. 

D. 
Edgar  A.  Parker,  Corp.;  25;  Nov  2,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  Co.  A  to  Co.  D;  transf.  to 

New  Co.  D. 

John  B.  Pecker,  Corp.;  22;  March  10,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  June  28,  '64. 
Hiram  P.  Tuxbury,  Musician;  27;  July  12,  '61 ;  Newton;  deserted  Aug.  6,  '61 ; 
Samuel  O.  Pierce,  Musician;  16;  Oct.  23,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  17,  '62. 
Clarence  O.  Woodman,  Musician;  16;  Oct.  26,  '61;  Lynn;  drowned  May  26,  '63  at  Newberne, 

N.  C. 
John  W.  Twitchell,  Musician:  21;  Feb.  3,  '62;  Chelsea;  transf.  from  Co.  C  to  Co.  D;  transf. 

to  Co.  H  as  absent  pris.  of  war;  re-enlist.  Jan.  1,  '64. 
Samuel  Whittaker,  Musician;  25;  Feb.  12,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  from  Co.  C.  to  Co.  D;  transf 

to  New  Co.  absent  pris.  of  war;  re-enlist.  Jan  1,  '64. 
Charles  M.  Goldwaith,  Wagoner:  22;  July  12,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  May  31,  '62. 


34  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR  CREDIT. 

Thomas  A.  Arnold,  Private;  27;  July  12,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Horace  Baldwin,  Private;  42;  Nov.  15,  '61;  Lynn;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64. 
Michael  J.  Barrett,  Private;  34;  Jan.  24,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  15,  '62. 
William  H.  Batcheller,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  transf.  from  Co.  B  to  Co.  D;  transf. 

to  Co.  H.  Sept.  2,  '62. 

John  M.  Bemis,  Private;  38;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disablity  Jan.  30,  '63. 
Charles  H  Blake,  Private;  18;  Dec.  31,  '61;   Salisbury;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan. 

5, '64. 

John  K.  Blodgett,  Private;  31 ;  Feb.  4,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disablitiy  Dec.  9,  '62. 
Elbridge  Boardman,  Private;  22;  July  12,  '61;  Haverhill;  deserted  Aug.  20,  '61. 
Job  Booth,  Private;  25;  July  28,  '62;  Salisbury;  d.  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  Sept.  16,  '62. 
Peter  Boylan,  Private;  22;  Aug.  8,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Brown,  Private;  18;  July  12,  '61;  Salisbury;  d.  July  1,  '62,  at  Newberne,  N.  C. 
Hiram  Butterfield,  Private;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  transf.  from  Co.  B;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Daniel  Cammett,  Private;  27;  April 27,  '61;  Amesbury  ;d.  Aug.  2,  '64  at  Salisbury,  Mass. 
Joseph  Campbell,  Private;  28;  Dec.  5,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
William  H.  Campbell,  Private;  31;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
Edward  Capen,  Private;  23;  Jan.  24,  '62;  Cambridge;  deserted  Jan.  '62. 
John  A.  Clement,  Private;  28;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '6i. 
Reuben  H.  Coffin,  Private;  29;  Jan.  27,  '62;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
John  C.  Cogswell,  Private;  22;  Aug.  4,  '62 ;  Haverhill  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  W.  Colby,  Private;  20;  Aug.  11,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  8,  '63. 
Jesse  S.  Currier,  Private;  47;  July  22,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Julius  C.  Currier,  Private;  24;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Newton,  N.  H.;  deserted  Aug.  13,  '61. 
Randall  B.  Curtis,  Private;  23;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Amesbury;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Hubbard  M.  Delano,  Private;  31;  Jan.  13,  '62;  Lynn;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  25,  '63. 
Edward  Dorsey,  Private;  22;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Amesbury;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  6,  '61. 
James  M.  Durgin,  Private;  26;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  rej.  recruit  Oct.  27,  '62. 
Phillip  Dwinnells,  Private;  27;  July  12,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Dwinnells,  Private;  24;  July  12,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  W.  Eaton,  Private,;  18;  Aug.  11,  '62;  Bradford;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  T.  Ewerr Private;  19;  Aug.  11,  '62;  Boston;  d.  Sept.  15,  '63  at  Moorehead  City,  N.  C. 
Frank  H.  Failey,  Private;  23;  Aug.  19,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  Aug.  1,  '63  to  U.  S.  signal  corps. 
Frank  Fays,  Private;  18;  Aug.  3,  '61;  Charlestown;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64. 
Michael  Fenton,  Private;  34;  March  10,  '62;  Quincy ;  disch.  for  disability  May  9,  '63. 
James  Timerty,  Private;  23;  Feb.  15,  '62;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co. 
Charles  E.  Flanders,  Private;  18;  July  12,  '61;  Salisbury;  transf.  to  New  Co.  F;  re-enlist. 

Dec.  7,  '63. 

Francis  C.  Flanders,  Private;  25;  July  12,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  7,  '61. 
Henry  G.  Flanders,  Private;  18;  July  22,  '61;  Lynn;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Feb.  16, 

'64. 

Edward  Foley,  Private;  35;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Roxbury;  disch.  for  disability  May  3,  '62. 
Frank  Foote,  Private;  28;  Apr.  27,  '61 ;  Amesbury;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  22,  '63. 
Horace  K.  Ford,  Private;  31;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Peter  Foster,  Private;  29;  Jan.  27,  '62;  Chelsea;  no  further  record  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Davis  French,  Private;  27;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Salisbury;  d.  May  28,  '62,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Benjamin  Y.  Gammon,  Private;  33;  Aug.  19,  '62;  Seekonk;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  H.  Garrigan,  Private;  24;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Cambridge;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  Gilleland,  Private;  35;  January  2,  '64;  Lawrence;   Capt.  Feb.  1,  '64;  transf.  to  New 

Co.  H  as  prisoner  of  war. 

William  H.  Gladding,  Private;  18;  Aug.  19,  '62;  Seekonk;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Goodwin,  Private;  19;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  P.  Goss,  Private;  20;  July  12,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Loring  Graves,  Private;  35;  Mar.  26,  '62;  Chicopee;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 


COMPANY  D.  35 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Michael  Guynan,  Private;  35;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Fall  River;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 

Andrew  J.  Haynes,  Private;  24;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  June  22,  '63. 

Alonzo  Hobbs,  Private;  38;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  June  11,  '63. 

William  Howard,  Private;  18;  Aug.  7,  '61;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

James  J.  Hurley,  Private;  22;  Feb.  24,  '62;  Lowell;  d.  Oct.  4,  '63,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

William  Jenness,  Private;  20  Feb.  12,  '62;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  4,  '62. 

George  O.  Jewett,  Private;  24;  Mar.  25,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  to  V.  R.  C.  Feb.  1,  '64. 

Cyrus  B.  Jones,  Private;  23;  July  15,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  30,  '63. 

Enoch  H.  Kenrick,  Private;  42;  Nov.  11,  '61;  Amesbury;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  4,  '62. 

Charles  W.  Kimball,  Private;  39;  Aug.  7,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  E. 

Jeremiah  I.  Lee,  Private;  21;  Mar.  10,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 

Charles  H.  Lord,  Private;  31;  July  23,  '62;   Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  11,  '63. 

David  B.  Lowe,  Private;  22;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Gloucester;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 

George  H.  Lundburg,  Private;  21;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Salisbury;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

George  F.  Mann,  Private;  21;  Aug.  19,  '62;  Holliston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

James  Marchant,  Private;  27;  July  12,  '61;  Amesbury;  deserted  Jan.  1,  '62. 

Alvin  Marsh,  Private;  18;  July  12,  '61 ;  Amesbury,  deserted  Aug.  13,  '61. 

James  J.  McCormich,  Private;  22;  Jan.  28,  '62;  Lynn;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 

Dominick  McDavitt,  Private;  31;  Feb.  15,  '62;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 

Samuel  McLaughlin,  Private;  26;  Aug.  15,  '62;  Amesbury;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  17,  '63. 

John  McMann,  Private;  24;  Feb.  3,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 

William  McWilliams,  Private;  32;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Amesbury;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Aug. 

8,  '64;  grave,  No.  5194. 
Timothy  Meaney,  Private;  29;  Mar.  12,      '62;  Abington;  transf.  to  New  Co. A.;  re-enlisted 

Mar.  30,  '64. 
William  N.  Merriam,  Private;  38;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Chelsea;  d.  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  May  24, 

'64;  grave  No.  1358. 

James  L.  Merrill,  Private;  22;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  Aug.  1,  '63;  to  U.  S.  Sig.  Corps. 
Estrick   Morrill,  Private;  27;  Aug.  22,  '61;  Salisbury;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  7,  '61. 
Charles  Murphy,  Private;  29;  Feb.  27,  '62;  Cambridge;  transf.  to  Co.  H,  absent  pris.  of  war. 
James  Murphy,  Private;  22;  Aug.  15,  '62;  Amesbury;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  1,  '64. 
William  Murphy,  Private;  35;  Feb.  11,  '62;  So.  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  May  5,  '62. 
David  Noble,  Private;  29;  Nov.  11,  '61;  Maiden;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  May  22,  '64;  No. 

of  Grave  1282. 
Henry  Norris,  Private;  35;  Dec.  29,  '63;  Fall  River;  pris.  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64  to  Apr.  28,  '65; 

transf.  to  Co.  I,  on  paper;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Jospeh  H.  Osgood,  Private;  33;  July  22,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  June  11,  '63. 
William  H.  Paisley,  Private;  30;  July  12, '61;  Salisbury;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C,  pris.  of  war; 

captur.  pris.  Feb.  1,  '64;  re-enlisted  Jan.  5.  '64. 

Joseph  B.  Palmer,  Private;  32;  Feb.  5,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  July  4,  '63. 
Frank  B.  Poison,  Private;  18;  Mar.4,'62;  Lowell;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D.;  re-enlist.Jan.  4, '64. 
Charles  L.  Ramsdell,  Private;  26;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Salisbury;  July  25,  '62;  disch.  for  disability. 
Charles  T.  Rich,  Private;  19;  Jan.  29,  '62;  Salisbury;  disch.  (rejected  recruit)  Oct.  27,  '62. 
John  P.  Richardson,  Private;  20;  Aug.  8,  '62;  Maiden;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A. 
Henry  H.  Robbins,  Private;  35;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Lynn;  transf  to  New  Co.  D. 
William  P.  Russell,  Private;  25;  Aug.  7,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  July  22,  '62. 
Charles  A.  Sargent,  Private;  18;  Dec.  9,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  Feb.  7,  '63  for  disability. 
William  Shaw,  Private;  43;  July  22,  '61 ;  Salisbury;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  5,  '63. 
Thomas  J.  Shea,  Private;  26;  Feb.  21,  '62;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  14,  '63. 
Eabud  Simonds,  Private;  35;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Chelsea;  d.  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  July  10,  '64; 

grave  No.  1458. 
John  A.  Smeadburg,  Private;  18;  Aug.  14,  '61;  Gloucester;  transf.  to  Co.  I  (on  paper);  has 

been  a  prisoner  of  war;  re-enlisted  Dec.  4,  '63.  M.  O.  June  20,  '65. 
Lafayette  Stiles,  Private;  31;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Gilead,  Maine;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  25,  '62. 


36  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OP  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Fred  J.  Stone,  Private;  26;  July  22,  '61;  Salisbury;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  4,  '63. 

Richard  M.  Tandy,  Private;  34;  Feb.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  21,  '63. 

Nathan  J.  Thorns,  Private;  43;  Feb.  15,  '62;  Saugus  ;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 

Russell  S.  Tibbetts,  Private;  35;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

George  Upton,  Private;  22;  July  22,  '61 ;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  4,  '61. 

Samuel  Usher,  Private;  27;  July  12,  '61;  Amesbury;  re-enlisted  Dec.  7,  '63;  d.  in  Anderson- 

ville,  Ga.;  Sept.  22,  '64;  grave  No.  9517. 

William  Webb,  Private;  27;  July  12,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  24,  '62. 
Job  R.  Wells,  Private;  28;  Aug.  11,  '62;  Salisbury;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Francis  Whittier,  Private;  18;  July  12,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;    re-enlisted 

Dec.  18,   '63. 

James  Wicks,  Private;  23;  July  12,  '61 ;  Amesbury;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 

Edward  S.  Willey,  Private;  24;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  10,  '63. 
Charles  D.  Williams,  Private;  37;  May  13,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
Artemus  Wilson,  Private;  34;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
Charles  O.  Witham,  Private;  27;  July  12,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  11,  '61. 
Charles  F.  York,  Private;  18;  July  12,  '61;  Amesbury;  disch.  for  disabilty  Oct.  2,  '61. 
John  S.  York,  Private;  36;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  10,  '63. 


COMPANY  "E"  OF  HAVERHILL. 


(This  company  was  recruited  in  Haverhill.  The  circum 
stances  under  which  it  was  formed  are  thus  stated  by  one  of  the 
leading  spirits  in  its  formation,  who  afterwards  became  regimental 
commander,  and  whose  service  in  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  was 
both  meritorious  and  conspicuous.) 

The  attack  on  the  Sixth  Massachusetts  Regiment  in  Balti 
more,  following  somewhat  closely  upon  the  firing  on  the  steamer, 
"Star  of  the  West"  and  Fort  Sumter,  in  the  harbor  of  Charleston, 
S.  C.,  in  April,  1861,  roused  all  classes  in  Haverhill,  as  it  did  in 
other  sections  of  Massachusetts,  to  the  belief  that  a  war  between 
the  rebellious  and  loyal  States  was  inevitable,  and  Irish  citizens 
and  Irish-American  boys  thought  they  were  no  less  patriotic  than 
the  other  men  and  boys  of  the  town.  So  they  determined  to 
organize  a  military  company,  and  offer  the  services  of  the  same 
to  Governor  Andrew  to  aid  in  putting  down  the  rebellion. 

A  meeting  of  this  class  of  young  men  was  called  for  the  second 
night  after  the  firing  on  the  Sixth  Regiment  in  Baltimore,  in  the 


COMPANY  E.  37 

old  Town  Hall.  The  meeting  was  presided  over  by  the  Hon. 
James  H.  Duncan,  and  was  largely  attended.  Patriotic  speeches 
were  made  by  Mr.  Duncan  and  others,  and  enthusiasm  ran  high. 
After  the  speakers  had  finished,  a  call  for  signers  of  recruiting 
papers  was  made,  but  the  young  men  being  modest,  it  was  diffi 
cult  to  start  work.  Finally,  Mr.  Henry  Splaine  said  that,  as  some 
one  must  sign  first,  and  as  every  one  knew  that  he  was  not  aspiring 
to  leadership,  he  saw  no  harm  being  the  first  to  sign.  Before  the 
close  of  the  meeting  that  night  a  full  company  had  signed  the 
roster. 

The  company  at  once  established  headquarters  on  Water 
Street,  and  subsequently  went  into  quarters  in  the  old  hat  shop 
near  the  Boston  &  Maine  depot.  It  drilled  under  several  instruct 
ors  for  about  two  weeks,  when  an  election  of  officers  was'  ordered 
by  Governor  Andrews,  Col.  Lyman  Dike  of  Stoneham,  presiding. 
Speeches  were  made  by  Colonel  Dike  and  others,  and  great  enthu 
siasm  prevailed.  Prominent  men  of  the  town  were  present  to 
encourage  the  boys.  There  were  several  candidates  for  the  various 
positions  to  be  filled,  and  the  boys  in  the  ranks  earnestly  supported 
their  favorites  for  all  the  offices  to  be  filled. 

Michael  C.  McNamara  was  elected  captain,  Henry  Splaine, 
first  lieutenant,  James  Moroney,  second  lieutenant;  James  Splaine, 
third  lieutenant  and  Joseph  G.  Kelley,  fourth  lieutenant. 

(As  only  two  lieutenants  were  allowed  to  each  company  by 
order  of  the  War  Department,  the  third  and  fourth  lieutenants 
had  to  be  dropped.  Lieutenant  Moroney  in  writing  of  this  and 
other  matters  connected  with  the  organization  of  Company  E, 
says:  "When  the  four  elected  officers  were  notified  to  appear  at 
the  State  House  for  examination,  it  came  to  James  Splaine's 
turn  to  be  examined.  One  of  the  officers  on  the  board  put  the 
question  to  him:  'Suppose,  after  you  get  out  to  the  seat  of  war, 
there  were  to  be  only  two  lieutenants  allowed,  what  would  you  do?' 
As  quick  as  a  flash  he  made  reply:  'Sir,  I  would  take  a  musket  and 
go  into  the  ranks.'  The  officer  was  much  pleased  at  his  quick 
response,  and  told  him  he  thought  that  he  would  be  all  right,  and 
he  was  all  right,  for  he  afterwards  made  one  of  the  best  officers  in 
the  regiment.") 


38  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Day  after  day  the  company  drilled,  sometimes  on  the  street, 
in  the  barracks,  and  at  times  in  the  fields  about  Haverhill  and 
Bradford.  The  officers  of  the  company  made  application  to  the 
governor  for  arms,  for  the  purpose  of  learning  the  use  of  them, 
but  His  Excellency  was  constrained  to  say  that  arms  could  not 
then  be  furnished,  but  advised  the  men  to  drill  and  drill,  and  if 
nothing  better  could  be  done  to  drill  with  bean-poles. 

Shortly  after  this,  the  company  received  orders  to  report  at 
Long  Island,  in  Boston  Harbor,  to  form  part  of  the  Fourteenth 
Infantry  Regiment,  which  was  then  being  recruited  and  drilled 
on  that  island,  and  there  it  was  given  a  company  designation. 
They  reached  the  island  about  the  middle  of  May,  1861. 

About  this  time,  the  officers  of  many  regiments  then  recruit 
ing  were  called  before  a  board  of  examiners  at  the  State  House, 
which  resulted  in  the  dropping  of  all  third  and  fourth  lieutenants. 
Third  lieutenant  James  Splaine  became  orderly  sergeant,  and 
fourth  lieutenant  Joseph  G.  Kelley  became  a  private.  Later  on 
in  the  service,  James  Splaine  became  successively  second  lieutenant, 
first  lieutenant  and  captain,  while  fourth  lieutenant  Joseph  G. 
Kelley  became  sergeant  and  afterwards  second  lieutenant. 

The  company  did  good  work  on  Long  Island,  and  became 
quite  proficient  in  drill  and  discipline.  It  was  a  fine  body  of  men, 
and  officers  and  men  got  along  harmoniously.  Several  weeks  were 
spent  on  the  island  and  it  was  drill,  drill,  nearly  all  the  time. 
But  one  day  there  came  an  order  to  fill  up  the  13th,  which  had  be 
come  the  9th  regiment.  Many  attempts  were  made  to  coax  men 
from  Company  E  into  the  Ninth  Regiment,  and  some  not  very 
creditable  agencies  were  employed  to  throw  Lieutenant  Splaine 
out  and  take  Captain  McNamara  into  the  Ninth  with  his  company, 
the  latter  to  be  a  lieutenant.  The  boys  stood  by  their  promise  when 
they  left  Haverhill  to  go  as  a  company  or  not  at  all.  The  entire 
company  returned  to  Haverhill  upon  the  disbanding  of  the  Four 
teenth  Regiment,  and  broke  ranks  in  front  of  the  old  Town  Hall. 

About  the  middle  of  June,  Captain  McNamara  received 
orders  to  recruit  the  company  again,  and  to  go  into  quarters,  a 
place  on  Fleet  Street  being  provided  for  sheltering  the  men.  It 
was  drill  and  drill  again  until  early  in  July,  when  the  company 


COMPANY  E.  39 

was  ordered  to  report  at  Lynnfield,  July  10,  and  become  Company 
E  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment,  to  which  it  was  attached  during 
its  three  years  of  service  in  the  Union  Army.  It  was  mustered 
into  service  at  Camp  Schouler,  Lynnfield,  July  22,  and  proceeded 
to  the  seat  of  war  August  23,  1861,  reaching  Baltimore,  Md., 
August  25,  1861. 

The  record  of  Company  E  is  a  respectable  and  a  brave  one, 
many  of  the  men  and  some  of  the  officers  filling  high  and  honor 
able  positions  during  the  war,  Company  E  and  Company  A  being 
the  only  ones  that  furnished  the  surviving  regimental  commander. 

The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  company : 

ORIGINAL  COMPANY  "E." 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR   CREDIT. 

Michael  C.  McNamara,  Capt,;  30;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Henry  Splaine,  1st  Lt.;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  and  pro.  Capt.  Jan.  31,  '62; 
transf.  to  Co.  A. 

Edward  T.  Parkinson,  1st  Lt.;  23;  January  9,  '62;  West  Roxbury;  pro.  Asst.  Adjt.  Gen.  U.  S. 
Vols.  July  7,  '63. 

Joseph  W.  Day,  1st  Lt.;  32;  Jan.  3,  '64;  Bradford;  captured  at  battle  of  Bachelors  Creek, 
N.  C.  Feb.  1,  '64;  disch.  Mar  11,  '65,  expir.  of  service. 

James  Maroney,  2d  Lt.;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  pro.  1st  Lt.;  Feb.  18,  '62;  transf.  to  Co.  I. 

James  Splaine,  2d  Lt.;  22;  Feb.  18,  '62;  Haverhill;  pro.  1st  Lt.,  Dec.  24,  '62;  transf.  to  Co.  F. 

Daniel  L.  Getchell,  2d  Lt.;  24;  Dec.  24,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Joseph  A.  Moore,  2d  Lt.;  20;  Oct.  1,  '63;  Gloucester;  transf.  to  Co.  A,  Nov.  1,  '63. 

James  Splaine,  1st  Sgt.;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Jan.  31,  '62. 

George  H.  Putney,  1st  Sgt.;  28;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  Smith,  Sgt.;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  deserted  July  25,  '61. 

Alfred  Putnam,  Sgt.;  25;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  31,  '63. 

Daniel  Regan,  Sgt,;  25;  July  10,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  wounded  Dec.  16,  '62;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Joseph  G.  Kelley,  Sgt.;  33;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  F;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64. 

Charles  F.  Brown,  Sgt,;  27;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;   transf.  to  Co.  C  Feb.  2,  '63. 

Thomas  Keneally,  Sgt.;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Stoneham;  captured  pris.  Feb.  1,  '64;  d.  at  Ander- 
sonville,  Ga.,  June  9,  '64;  No.  of  gr.,  1754. 

Henry  Mulvey,  Sgt.;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Allen  Nourse,  Sgt.;  21;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  d.  Nov.  1,  '62  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

Uriah  Robertson,  Sgt.;  26;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  new  Co.  H;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64 

Jeremiah  Sheehan,  Corp.;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Manchester,  N.  H.;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Peter  Godfrey,  Corp.;  27;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 

John  O'Hara,  Corp.;  26;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  30,  '63. 

Hugh  McGlone,  Corp.;  20;  July  10,  '61;  Billerica;  deserted  Aug  1,  '61. 

Edward  Mulligan,  Corp.;  22;  July  10,  '61 ;  Manchester,  N.  H.;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  Coffey,  Corp.;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Thomas  McCarthy,  Corp.;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  deserted  Aug  2,  '61. 

John  Clabby,  Corp.;  32;  July  10,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  Co.  D.  ab.  pris.  of  war;  re-enlist. 
Dec.  4,  '63;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  July  8,  '64.  Grave  No.  3016. 

Eliphalet  P.  Crafts,  Corp.;  33;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64;  d.  in  Anderson 
ville,  Ga.,  Mar.  26  '62;  No.  of  Grave,  174. 


40  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

William  Elliott,  Corp. ;  24 ;  July  10,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  21,  '63. 
Dominick  Kenney,  Corp.  29;  Jan.  31/62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C;  re-enlist.  Jan  4,  '64. 
Patrick  Maloney,  Corp;  24;  July  10,  '61 ;  Stoneham;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C;  re-enlist.  Jan.  1,  '64. 
Patrick  Nalty,  Corp.  19;  July  10,  '61;  West  Newbury;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C.;  re-enlist.  Jan. 

5, '64. 
William  Splaine,  Corp.;  29;  Sept.  2,  '62;  Haverhill:  wounded  Dec.  16,  '62;  disch.  for  disability 

Apr.  3,  '63. 

Matthew  Sweeney,  Corp.;  29;  July  10,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  H.  Hanson,  Musician;  33;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Richard  Neagle,  Artif.;  38;  July  10,  '61;  Lynnfield;  d.  Jan.  1,  '62,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
Edward  Flaherty,  Wagoner;  32;  July  10,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  3,  '63. 
John  E.  Acres,  Private;  27;  Oct.  8,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  10-,  '61. (So  says 

Muster-out  Roll.) 

Samuel  Anderson,  Private;  50;  July  10,  '61 ;  Lynnfield;  dropped  Mar.  26,  '62. 
James  Barry,  Private;  21;  Aug.  1,  '62;  Salisbury;  disch.  for  idsability  Nov.  13,  '62  as  a 

rej.  recruit. 

George  Bragdon,  Private;  July  12,  '61 ;  Lynnfield;  no  further  record  in  Adjt.  Gen.  office,  Mass. 
Michael  Brannigan,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Woburn;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C;  re-enlist.  Dec. 

12, '63. 

Walter  Broughton,  Private;  20;  July  10,  '61 ;  Lynnfield;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '61. 
John  Burnes, (also  known  as  Barron) Private;  24;  Oct.  6, '61;  Haverhill;  d.  at  Anderson ville, 

Ga.,  July  23,  '64;  grave  No.  3841. 
Thomas  W.  Burroughs,  Private;  16;  Oct.  31,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  30,  '63; 

enlisten  as  a  musician. 
Christopher  Campbell,  Private;  25;  Dec.  6.  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability,  Jan.  16, 

'63. 

John  Campbell,  Private;  40;  July  10,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  8,  '63. 
John  Carroll,  Private;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Manchester;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '61. 
Thomas  Casey,  Private;  21 ;  July  10,  '61 ;  Lynnfield;  deserted,  Aug.  2,  '61. 
Thomas  Casey,  Private;  19;  Jan.  13,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  May  30,  '62. 
Henry  Chase,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlist.  Dec.  5, 

'64. 

Lawrence  Clark,  Private;  27;  Oct.  27,  '61;  Baltimore,  Md.;  deserted  Nov.  2,  '61. 
Patrick  Cogan,  Private;  31;  July  10,  '61;  Woburn;  disch.  for  disabilty  Dec.  5,  '61. 
Henry  Connelly,  Private;  27;  July  10,  '61;  Georgetown;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '61. 
Timothy  Connelly,  Private;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  E.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

5, '64. 

Thomas  Croke,  Private;  32;  July  10,  '61;  Boston;  deserted  at  Fort  Macon,  Jan.  31,  '63. 
William  Daley,  Private;  30;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Patrick  Dignan,  Private;  29;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  Doherty,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability;  Sept;  6,  '61. 
John  Doonin,  Private;  29;  July  10,'61 ;  Georgetown;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5, '64. 
Timothy  Driscoll,  Private;  21 ;  Aug.  1,  '62;  Salisbury;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '63. 
George  Eaton,  Private;  37;  July  10,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 
Owen  Egan,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61;  Manchester,  N.  H.;  wounded  Feb.  1,  '64;  M.  O.  Aug. 

3,  '64,  at  Boston,  Mass. 

Thomas  Ellis,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  new  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64. 
Patrick  Fallen,  Private;  22;  Jan  26,  '62;  Quincy;  transf.  to  Co.  C;  re-enlist.  Mar.  14,  '64. 
Edward  Flaherty,  Private;  32;  July  10,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  3,  '63. 
Murty  Fleming,  Private;  26;  July  10,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  E;  re-enlist.  Jan.  1,  '64. 
John  Foley,  Private;  20;  July  10,  '61;  Stoneham;  disch.  for  disability  Mar.  2.  '63. 
Stephen  Foley,  Private;  22;  July  10,  '61 ;  Manchester,  N.  H.;  deserted  Aug.  1,  '61. 
John  Gannon,  Private;  31;  Dec.  6,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  for  disablity  Dec.  3,  '62. 
James  H.  Gartside,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  at  Newbern, 

N.  C.,  Aug.  20,  '62. 


COMPANY  E.  41 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

John  Godfrey,  Private;  32;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '61. 

Joseph  Godfrey,  Private;  20;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlisted. 

John  Goggin,  Private;  39;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

David  B.  Hackett,  Private;  29;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Hugh  Hagan,  Private;  30;  July  30,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

James  Harney,  Private;  21;  Sept.  5,  '62;  Lynn;  transf.  to  Co.  C. 

Thomas  Harrigan,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  Hennessey,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Manchester,  N.  H.;  disch.  for  disability  Sept. 

24,  '61. 

Henry  Kane,  Private;  22;  Sept.  2,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  W.  Kimball,  Private;  39;     Aug.  7,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Francis  C.  Lawson,  Private;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  10,  '63. 
Joseph  W.  Lawton,  Private;  32;  July  25,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  4,  '64. 

Dennis  Linskey,  Private;  21;  Aug.  1,  '62;  Salisbury;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  17,  '62. 
John  Lynch,  Private;  39;  Jan.  26,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted  Jan.  4,  '64. 
William  Maher,  Private;  33;  July  10,  '61;  Boston;  deserted  Aug.  12,  '61. 
John  Mahoney,  Jr.,  Private;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  at  Newberne, 

N.  C.  Apr.  2,  '63. 
Otis  G  Martin,  Private;  34;  July  10,  '61;  Lynnfield;  disch.  for  disability  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

Aug.  18,   '62. 

John  Masterson,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  deserted  Aug.  14,  '61. 
Thomas  Masterson,  Private;  28;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64. 
Patrick  McEneany,  Private;  25;  July  10,  '61;  Georgetown;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  2,  '61; 

at  Baltimore,  Md. 
Owen  McGauley,  Private;  25;  July  10,  '61;  Georgetown;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Dec.  11,  '63. 
Thomas  McGrath,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  5,  '64. 

Bernard  McKanna,  Private;  26;  July  10,  '61;  Stoneham;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  18,  '62. 
Patrick  McKanna,  Private;  28;  July  10,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  5,  '61. 
John  McMahan,  Private;  43;  Oct.  8,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  22,  '62. 
Anderton  Melendy,  Private;  July  10, '61;  Lynnfield r no  further  record  Ad jt.  Gen.  office,  Mass. 
George  Melendy,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  F.  Millett,  Private;  30;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  July  17,  '63. 
William  H.  Moore,  Private;  38;  July  30,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  17,  '62. 
Luther  Moritz,  Private;  23;  July  22,    '62;     Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  4,  '64. 
Lewis  J.  Morrill,  Private;  34;  Sept.  2,  '62;  Lynn;  transf.  from  Co.  A.  Oct.  1,  '62;  disch.  for 

disability  Feb.  2,  '63. 

Bernard  Moyles,  Private;  28;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Michael  Mulligan,  Private;  26;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  6,  '61. 
Patrick  Murphy,  Private;  30;  July  10,  '61 ;  Lynnfield;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '61. 
Michael  Norman,  Private;  31;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  June  18,  '62. 
John  O'Brien,  Private;  32;  July  10,   '61;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64. 

Thomas  O'Brien,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  23,  '63. 
John  O'Hara,  Private;  26;  July  10,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  30,  '63. 
Richard  H.  Peacock,  Private;  27;  July  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  H.  Putnam,  Private;  21;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Patrick  Riley,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61 ;  Lynnfield;  deserted  July  22,  '61. 
Henry  Rivers,  Private;  25;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  wounded  Aprl  9,  '63;  transf.  to  New  Co. 
A.;  re-enlsited  Dec.  5,  '63. 


42  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

John  Ronan,  Private;  20;  July  10,  '61;  Stoneham;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '63. 

Cornelius  Roorke,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  Roswell,  Private;  28;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  Shea,  Private;  34;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Haverhill;  d.  of  wounds  at  Newberne,  N,  C.  Feb.  6,  '64  . 

Richard  Smith,  Private;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Stoneham;  deserted  Aug.  10,  '61. 

Peter  Snee,  Private;  44;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  deserted  Aug.  24,  '61. 

Herbert  Splaine,  Private;  33;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64;  transf.  from  Co. 

C.  to  A.  and  from  Co.  A.  to  E.  ;  re-enlisted. 
Peter  G.  Soley,  Private;  23;  July  22,    '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  E.;    re-enlisted 

Jan.  2,  '64. 

John  A.  Southwick,  Private;  43;  Oct.  2,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  10,  '61. 
Moses  N.  Stanley,  Private;  31;  July  22,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,   '64. 

Casper  Stephen,  Private;  36;  July  10,  '61 ;  Lynnfield;  deserted  Aug.  10,  '61. 
Charles  M.  Stephens,  Private;  27;  July  10,  '61;  Lynnfield;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  31,  '62. 
Adam  StofBet,  Private;  21 ;  July  20,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  June  22,  '63. 
Bartholomew  Sullivan,  Private;  23;  July  10,  '61 ;  Lynnfield;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64 

Michael  Sullivan,  Private;  19;  July  10/61;  Manchester,  N.H.;  disch.  for  disab.  Sept. 6,  '61. 
James  Sweeney,  Private;  30;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Haverhill;  d.  May  11,  '64  at  Annapolis,  Md. 
John  Taggart,  Private;  39;  July  10,   '61;  Haverhill;  d.  at  Andersonville,  Ga.  June  19,   '64; 

grave  No.  2067. 

William  Towle,  Private;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  June  22,  '63. 
Patrick  Trainer,  Private;  30;  Oct.  18, '61;  Georgetown;  re-enlisted  Jan. 5, '64;  killed  in  action 

Feb.  1,  '64. 

James  Usher,  Private;  22;  Jan.  26,  '62;  Quincy;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  3,  '63. 
David  Wallace,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Wallace,  Jr.,  Private;  32;  July  10,  '61;  Lynnfield;  deserted  Aug.  15,  '61. 
John  Wallace,  Sr.,  Private;  42;  July  10,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  deserted  Aug.  11,  '61. 
William  Wallace,  Private;  26;  July  10,  '61;  Boston;  deserted  Aug.  12,  '61. 
John  Walsh,  Private;  36;  July  10,  '61;  Lynn;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  2,  '63. 
Michael  Ward,  Private;  20;  July  10,  '61;  Stonehnm;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  12,  '63. 
Nathaniel  M.  Ward,  Private;  30;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept,  10,  .'63, 
George  H.  Whitehead,  Private;  21 ;  Aug.  20,  '61 ;  Lynn;  transf.  from  Co.  B  to  Co.  E  ;  wound. 

Dec.  17,  '62;  d.  of  wounds  Feb.  6,'  '63,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 


ORIGINAL  COMPANY  "F." 

(The  following  sketch  of  the  formation  of  Company  F  of  the 
Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Regiment  is  compiled  from  extracts 
copied  from  the  files  of  the  "Tri-Weekly  Publisher"  of  Haverhill, 
of  1861,  obtained  by  Comrade  C.  E.  Flanders  for  this  memorial 
history.  It  is  not  as  complete  as  the  compiler  would  desire,  but 
may  be  intelligible  in  connection  with  the  history  of  the  organiza 
tion  of  Company  E,  which  is  full  and  accurate.) 

In  its  issue  of  April  26,  1861,  the  "Publisher"  has  this  item: 
"  Several  companies  of  volunteers  have  been  formed  in  this  village. 


COMPANY  F.  43 

and  are  rapidly  perfecting  arrangements  for  organization  for  active 
service.  Both  officers  and  men  seem  full  of  ardor,  and  are  im 
patient  to  be  prepared  for  marching  orders.  A  call  was  issued 
yesterday  for  a  meeting  at  Passaquoit  Hall,  of  the  company  just 
enlisted,  by  Dr.  Towle,  and  forming  the  second  company  that  had 
passed  medical  inspection  for  the  purpose  of  organization.  Major 
Ladd  presided,  and  the  following  officers  were  elected:  Captain, 
Luther  Day;  first  lieutenant,  E.  F.  Tompkins;  second  lieutenant, 
William  H.  Turner. 

"The  company  is  composed  of  a  fine,  intelligent,  sturdy,  body 
of  men,  averaging  five  feet  seven  and  one-half  inches  in  height, 
and  150  pounds  weight — two  of  them  are  six  feet  two  inches  tall, 
nine  are  six  feet,  and  over  twenty-one  are  five  feet  ten  inches  and 
upwards,  and  eight  weigh  175  pounds  each." 

In  the  May  16,  1861,  issue,  it  is  recorded  that  "  Lieutenant 
Palmer  of  Company  G,  (Hale  guards),  now  serving  with  the  Fifth 
Massachusetts  Regiment  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  started  for  Wash 
ington  on  Monday  morning  to  join  his  company,  and  was  escorted 
from  his  residence  to  the  cars  by  the  volunteer  company  under 
Captain  Day." 

In  the  issue  of  May  30,  it  is  recorded:  " Today  the  company, 
under  Captain  Day,  appeared  in  their  new  uniforms  furnished  by 
the  town,  and  made  by  the  Ladies'  Relief  Society,  under  the 
superintendence  of  Mr.  Edmund  Fletcher,  with  the  exception  of 
the  officers'  uniforms,  which  were  made  by  Mr.  Alonzo  Way,  from 
patterns  furnished  by  Mr.  Fletcher.  The  uniform,  which  is  a 
rifle  jacket  for  privates,  and  frock  coat  for  officers,  of  cadet  gray 
cloth,  trimmed  with  gilt  buttons  and  a  black  cord,  is  really  beauti 
ful,  substantial  and  comfortable,  and  in  point  of  workmanship 
highly  creditable  to  the  ladies.  By  their  energy  it  was  completed 
with  great  dispatch — just  two  weeks,  we  believe,  being  the  time 
spent  in  the  manufacture  and  making  of  the  coats  and  pants. 

"The  company  made  a  fine  appearance  on  parade  today. 
One  of  the  prominent  points  of  interest  with  the  company  is  the 
attachment  of  Master  Charles  Oscar  Wallace,  a  lad  of  five  years 
of  age,  who  applied  for  membership  at  the  time  the  papers  were 
opened  for  enlistment.  He  has  been  selected  as  the  child  of  the 


44  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

company,  and  appears  with  them  when  on  parade,  with  uniform, 
and  bears  a  spear  as  a  weapon  of  warfare. 

"Captain  Day's  company  was  escorted  by  Captain  Howe's 
command,  both  of  which  corps  are  awaiting  orders.  Battalion 
drill  took  place  today  at  Elmvale  Park.  There  were  seven  com 
panies  present, — three  from  Lawrence,  one  from  Methuen,  one 
from  Andover,  one  from  North  Andover,  and  Captain  Day's 
company  from  this  town,  numbering  in  all  over  500  men,  rank 
and  file.  All  but  one  company  were  uniformed,  and  the  uniforms 
vary  both  in  style  and  color.  The  drill  was  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Decker  from  Lawrence,  and  was  considered  good." 

A  list  of  the  officers  and  men  of  Captain  Day's  company  is 
given  in  the  "Publisher"  of  a  later  date,  but  as  the  names  are 
included  in  the  roster  of  the  company,  which  follows,  the  list 
need  not  here  be  given. 

June  8's  issue  contains  this  item:  "George  Foote,  Esq., 
cashier  of  the  Spicket  Falls  Bank,  and  a  native  of  this  town,  has 
presented  Lieut.  E.  F.  Tompkins  of  Captain  Day 's  company  with 
a  sword  and  belt  of  the  regulation  pattern.  The  weapon  was  a 
very  fine  one  and  valued  at  $25.  The  company  expects  to  be 
called  into  service,  and  have  no  thought  of  disbanding,  as  has 
been  reported." 

June  27. — "The  ten  new  regiments  ordered  places  the  two 
companies  of  Captain  Day  and  Captain  McNamara  in  the  Seven 
teenth  Massachusetts  Regiment." 

July  9. — "By  a  special  order  just  issued,  the  companies  com 
prising  this  regiment,  including  those  of  Captain  Day  and  Captain 
McNamara,  of  this  town,  are  ordered  to  report  to  the  Adjutant 
General  at  Lynnfield,  Mass.,  tomorrow  afternoon  at  4  o'clock, 
and  go  into  camp." 

The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  company : 

ORIGINAL  COMPANY  "F." 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Luther  Day,  Capt.;  32;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  pro.  maj.  Dec.  29,  '63. 
John  E.  Mullaly,  Capt.;  22;  Dec.  29,  '63  Salem;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 


COMPANY  F.  45 

NAME.  BANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Enoch  F.  Tompkins,  1st  Lt.;  30;  Apr.  26,    '61;  Haverhill;  pro.  Capt.  and  transf.  to  Co.  B, 

Dec.  19,  '61. 
Ivory  N.  Richardson,  1st  Lt.:  23;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  pro.  Capt.  and  transf.  to  Co.  D. 

Oct.  5,  '62. 

Henry  Poor,  1st  Lt.;  23;  Sept.  25,  '62;  Stoneham;  resigned  Dec.  23,  '62. 
James  Splaine,  1st  Lt.;  22;  Dec.  24,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A. 
William  H.  Turner,  2d  Lt.;  24;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  and  pro.  1st  Lt.,  Co.   G, 

Dec.  10,  '61. 

Ezekiel  F.  Mann,  2d  Lt.;  24;  Nov.  3,  '61 ;  Boston;  transf.  to  Co.  K,  Jan.  4,  '62. 
Henry  W.  Oliver,  2d  Lt.;  31 ;  Aug.  21,  '61 ;  Maiden;  resigned  Feb.  9,  '62. 
Horace  Dexter,  2d  Lt.;  36;  Feb.  9,  '62;  Cambridge;  transf.  to  Co.  I,  May  4,  '63. 
Archibald  Bogle,  2d  Lt.;  21;  Aug.  21,  '61;  Melrose;  pro.  and  transf.  to  Co.  H.,  June  11,  '62. 
Linus  B.  Comins,  Jr.,  2d  Lt.;  20;  May  28,  '62;  Roxbury;  transf.  to  Co.  B,  Oct.  18,  '62. 
Joseph  W.  Day,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Sept,  30,  '62;  Bradford ;  transf .  to  Co.  E,  Jan.  1,  '64. 
Daniel  L.  Getchel,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Dec.  24,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  E,  Feb.  10,  '64. 
Samuel  G.  Roberts,  2d  Lt.;  21;  Mar.  24,  '63;  So.  Danverg;  wounded  Apr.  9,  '63;  transf. 

to  Co.  A,  May  16,  '64. 

Daniel  L.  Getchell,  1st  Sgt,;  29;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill,  pro.  2d  Lt.  Dec.  24,  '62. 
Joseph  W.  Day,  1st  Sgt.;  29;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Bradford;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Sept.  30,  '62. 
George  K.  Place,  1st  Sgt,;  23;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Granville  Hardy,"  Sgt.;  25;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Groveland;  killed  in  action  at  Goldsboro,  N.  C. 

Dec.  17,  '62. 

Henry  B.  Webber,  Sgt.;  26;  Apr.  26  '61;  Haverhill;  pro.  Com.  Sgt.  N.  C.  S.,  Oct.  1,  '62. 
John  B.  Hill,  Sgt.;  43;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  pro.  Sgt.  Maj.  N.  C.  S.  June  14,  '62. 
Charles  E.  Folsom,  Sgt.;  21 :  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Henry  T.  Merrill,  Sgt.;  23;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  pro.  Com.  Sgt.  Aug.  27,  '61. 
GardenerS.  Morse,  Sgt.;  24;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  wounded  Apr.  9,  '63;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Richard  E.  Norton,  Sgt.;  20;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  E.  Titcomb,  Sgt.;  21 ;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  A.  Roberts,  Corp.;  25;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Rochester;  disch.  for  disability  at  Baltimore, 

Md.Dec.  28, '61. 

William  C.  Haynes,  Corp.;  28;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Dearborn  F.  Richards,  Corp.;  23;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  12,  '62. 
Adoniram  J.  Gilman,  Corp.;  22;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  E,;  re-enlisted 

Jan  4,  '64. 

Albert  G.  Gardner,  Corp.;  21;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Stephen  L.  Badger,  Corp.;  34;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  A.  Brown,  Corp.;  20;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  S.  Dearborn,  Corp.;  20;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  wounded  Dec.  17,  '62;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  Murray,  Corp.;  24;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  S.  Norton,  Corp.;  27;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability,  Oct.  5,  '62. 
John  Silver,  Corp. ;  28;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Simon  S.  Steele,  Corp.;  19;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlist.  Jan.  4,  '64. 
Martin  S.  Wharton,  Corp. ;  31 ;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  W.  Derby,  Musician;  41;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disibality  Oct.  5,  '62. 
Stephen  W.  Hall,  Musician;  16;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 
William  H.  Collins,  Wagoner;  20;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  W.  Abbott,  Private;  22;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Elbridge  B.  Allen,  Private;  30;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  July  14,  '62. 
George  E.  Allen,  Private;  33;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Portland,  Me.;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  18,  '62. 
William  J.  Armstrong,  Private;  19;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
David  W.  Barteaux,  Private;  36;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  d.  at  Washington,  D.  C.  Dec.26, 

'62. 


46  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Jacob  W.  Beckum,  Private;  25;  Aug.  11,  '62;  Bradford;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Isaac  C.  Blaisdell,  Private;  26;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  17,  '61. 

John  B.  Blake,  Private;  42;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Enoch  M.  Bradley,  Private;  20;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Addison  Brickett,  Private;  19;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Charles  S.-Brown,  Private;  19;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Jacob  D.  Brown,  Private;  23;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Boxford;  disch.  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 

Thomas  Burke,  Private;  22;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf .  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlist.  Dec. 

13, '63. 

Jonas  S.  Butters,  Private;  31 ;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  16,  '63. 
Charles  H.  Cammett,  Private;  20;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Groveland;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  24,  '63. 
John  C.  Chapman,  Private;  31;  Sept.  28,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  30,  '63. 
Levi  F.  Colbath,  Private;  27;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan. 

1, '64. 

Cyrus  W.  Crocker,  Private;  32;  Apr.  26,  '  61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Samuel  L.  Currier,  Private;  21 ;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Newton,  N.  H. ;  d.  at  Baltimore,  Md.  Mar  22,  '62. 
John  R.  Darling,  Private;  26;  Aug.  15,  '62;  Cambridge;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Leonard  M.  Darling,  Private;  21;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '63. 
Charles  H.  Davis,  Private;  17;  Sept.  28,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  H;  re-enlist.  Jan. 

1/64; 
Charles  N.  Davis,  Private;  42;  Sept.  28,  '61;  Haverhill;  wounded  Dec.  17,  '62;  disch.  Sept. 

29,  '64. 

Hazen  S.  Dearborn,  Private;  23;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  A.  Doe,  Private;  23;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Alonzo  Dresser,  Private;  35;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  11,  '63. 
James  J.  Eaton,  Private;  34;  Jan.  30,  '62;  Bradford;  disch.  for  disability  at  Baltimore,  Md., 

Feb.  14,  '62. 

Isaiah  Emerson,  Private;  33;  Feb.  18,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  July  18,  '62. 
Joel  W.  P.  Evans,  Private;  22;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
Francis  Fletcher,  Private;  22;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  July  12,  '62. 
Albert  A.  Frye,  Private;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  d.  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Dec.  28,  '61. 
John  J.  Furber,  Private;  22;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Albert  Gale,  Private;  20;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Feb.  9,  '64. 
David  W.  Gardner,  Private;  21;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  at  Baltimore, 

Md.,  Sept.  25,  '61. 

Mark  L.  Gilman,  Private;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disablity  Sept.  2,  '61. 
Rufus  L.  Gilman,  Private;  19:  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  E.  Gilman,  Private;  28;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Groveland;  disch.  for  disability  at  Newbern, 

N.  C.July  21,  '62. 
William  E.  Gilman,  Private;  31;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64. 

James  W.  Gilson,  Private;  31;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  9,  '64;  order  war  dept. 
Thaddeus  P.  Goodwin,  Private;  26;  Apr.  26,   '61;  Charlestown;  disch.  for  disability  July 

14,  '62. 

John  S.  Harriman,  Private;  21;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  H  Heckman,  Private;  19;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Bradford;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Samuel  G.  Hewitt,  Private;  19;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  d.  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Apr.  22,  '62. 
Jospeh  Hicks,  Private;  35;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  9,  '63. 
Stephen  W.  Hodgkins,  Private;  22;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Ensign  L.  Hunkins,  Private;  20;  Sept.  28,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  Nov.  30,  '63  to  U.  S.  Sig. 

Corps. 

Harrison  Johnson,  Private;  28;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Samuel  W.  Jones,  Private;  20;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  4,  '62. 
Joseph  P.  Keif,  Private;  23;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  July  18,  '63. 


COMPANY  F.  47 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Nathaniel  Keniston,  Private;  18;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Charles  A.  Kimball,  Private;  27;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  2,  '63. 

John  T.  Kimball,  Private;  19;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

William  W.  Marsh,  Private;  25;  Jan.  19,  '64;  Boston;  d.  at  Newbern,  N.  C.  May  29,  '64. 

Charles  F.  Meader,  Private;  19;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64. 

John  L.  Meader,  Private;  29;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  10,  '63. 
Edward  D.  Metcalf,  Private;  22;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  A.  Metcalf,  Private;  25;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  D.  Mitchell,  Private;  21;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Groveland;  transf.  to  New  Co.  E;  re-enlisted 

Feb.  29,  '64. 

William  Morrill,  Private;  26;  Sept.  3,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  15,  '63. 
Henry  M.  Morse,  Private;  29;  July  25,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  30,  '63. 
John  Norton,  Private;  23:  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  deserted  Aug.  23,  '61. 
Samuel  O.  Osgood,  Private;  26;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  May  30,  '63. 
Harrison  M.  Pattee,  Private;  25;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Peck,  Private;  21;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Darius  Pierce,  Private;  25  Aug.  7,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3/64. 
Frank  C.  Pierce,  Private;  20;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Levi  R.  Pierce,  Private;  23;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Samuel  W.  Pierce,  Private;  18;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  30,  '63. 
Vincent  T.  Pinkham,  Private;  30;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 
Charles  F.  Remick,  Private;  23;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  23,  '63. 
Silas  H.  Rogers,  Private;  33;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

1,   '64. 
Ezra  Rumney,  Private;  28;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

5,   '64. 

Bryant  Sheyes,  Private;  31;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '63. 
George  S.  Sides,  Private;  21;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  B.  Simonds,  Private;  21;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Joseph  E.  Smith,  Private;  37;  Apr.  26;  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64. 

Elbridge  H.  Spinney,  Private;  25;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  July  1,  '62. 
Charles  W.  Stevens,  Private;  23;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  24,  '62. 
Leonard  S.  Stevens,  Private;  19;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Mar.  3,  '63. 
Charles  H.  Stewart,  Private;  18;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  discharged  for  disability  May  30,  '63. 
George  E.  Stewart,  Private;  19;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  11,  '63. 
James  C.  Stewart,  Private;  44;  Sept.  30,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  May  30, '64. 
JohnZ.  Taylor,  Private;  26;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Lowell;  d.  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Nov.  9,  '61. 
Warren  Tibbetts,  Private;  18;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Exeter,  N.  H.;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  18,  '62. 
Alfred  L.  Tilton,  Private;  24;  Aug.  6,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Thomas  P.  Titcomb,  Private;  40;  Aug.  4, '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  as  rejec.  recruit,  Nov.  16'62. 
John  Toofoot,  Private;  24;  Jan.  19,  '64;  Boston;  d.  June  24,  '64,  Newbern,  N.  C. 
John  Tucker,  Private;  18;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Tullock,  Private;  21 ;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Franklin  L.  Walker,  Private;  18;  Aug.  6,  '62,  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  3,  '63. 
Joseph  A.  Welch,  Private;  22;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  4,  '64. 
Charles  S.  Wheeler,  Private;  23;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Peterborough,  N.  H.;  disch.  for  disability  at 

Baltimore,  Md.,  Dec.  6,  '61. 

George  A.  White,  Private;  32;  Apr.  26,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Woodington,  Private;  21;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  25,  '62. 
John  W.  Woodman,  Private;  21;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 


48  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

COMPANY  "G,"ROCKPORT. 


"KIMBALL  GUARDS/' 

Accounts  of  the  origin  and  formation  of  Company  "G"  of 
the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Regiment  differ  somewhat  in  some 
details.  Without  attempting  to  reconcile  them  (they  are  not, 
however,  of  any  importance), the  compiler  of  this  history  gives  both. 
The  first  is  as  follows : 

Immediately  upon  the  call  of  the  government  for  three  years' 
volunteers,  the  patriotic  citizens  of  Rockport  raised  a  company  of 
the  best  material,  commanded  by  Capt.  Daniel  B.  T.  Farr,  who 
tendered  their  services  to  the  State.  Not  being  immediately 
accepted,  the  town  and  spirited  individuals  liberally  contributed 
to  the  support  of  the  soldiers  and  their  families  to  an  extent  exceed 
ing  three  thousand  dollars  till  they  were  enrolled  as  Company 
"G,"  and  ordered  into  camp  at  Lynnfield,  where  they  reported 
fifty-two  guns.  Upon  the  morning  of  their  departure  from  town 
a  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  held  to  bid  them  farewell,  at  which, 
after  a  prayer  and  speeches  from  prominent  individuals,  a  superb 
and  richly  mounted  silk  ensign,  which  cost  upwards  of  $75,  was 
presented  to  the  Company  by  Hon.  Moses  Kimball  of  Boston,  in 
compliment  to  whom  the  company  had  been  named.  On  the  day 
before  they  left  for  the  seat  of  war,  a  company  from  Salem, 
raised  by  Capt.  George  W.  Kenney,  was  merged  with  them,  and 
the  command  given  to  that  gentleman. 

The  other  account  quoted  is  given  by  Comrade  John  H.  Tyler 
of  Wenham,  in  a  well-written  article  published  in  the  ''Salem 
Gazette"  of  September  17,  1886,  entitled  "Company  G,  17th 
Regiment  Massachusetts  Volunteers — Salem  City  Rifles."  He 
says  regarding  the  formation  of  the  company : 

"  Company  G,  or  as  it  was  then  known  The  Salem  City 
Rifles,'  began  to  assemble  at  Winter  Island,  Salem  Neck,  in  the 
early  spring  of  1861,  under  the  captaincy  of  Nathan  W.  Osborn, 
now  of  the  United  States  Army.  George  William  Kenney  of 
Danvers  was  first  lieutenant,  and  I  think  the  second  lieutenant  was 
a  Lieutenant  Wilson.  Recruiting  went  forward  slowly  for  some 


COMPANY  G.  49 

time.  The  men,  in  the  meantime,  were  drilled  twice  a  day  by 
Lieutenant  Kenney,  or  Sergeant  Rowndy.  About  the  middle  of 
August,  we  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  State  camp  at  Lynnfield, 
to  join  the  19th  Regiment.  Captain  Osborn  had,  in  the  meantime, 
been  appointed  to  a  staff  position  and  ordered  to  Indianapolis. 
The  company  proceeded  to  Lynnfield  as  per  orders,  but  for  some 
unknown  reason  was  not  assigned  to  the  19th,  but  was  consolidated 
with  part  of  a  company  from  Rockport  and  Gloucester.  In  the 
course  of  a  few  days,  Lieutenant  Kenney  was  commissioned  by 
Governor  Andrews  as  captain  of  Company  G,  17th  Massachusetts 
Volunteers.  He  at  once  assumed  command.' ' 

The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  company : 

ORIGINAL  COMPANY  "G." 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

George  W.  Kenney,  Capt,;  31;  July  10,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64;  wounded  Dec.  17, 
'62. 

George  W.  Tufts,  1st.  Lt.;  33;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  d.  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Oct.  27,  '61. 

William  H.  Turner,  1st  Lt.;  24;  Dec.  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  resigned  Apr.  25,  '63. 

Charles  O.  Fellows,  1st  Lt.  19;  Aug.  13,  '62;  Chelsea;  pro.  Capt,  and  transf.  New  Co.  F. 

Alfred  M.  Channell,  2d  Lt.  29;  July  10,  '61 ;  Rockport;  Jan.  17,  '62,  resigned. 

Charles  C.  Morse,  2d  Lt.;  29;  Feb.  20,  '62;  Haverhill;  resigned  March  23,  '63. 

EzekielF.  Mann,  2d  Lt.;  25;  Nov.  3,  '61;  Boston;  pro.  1st  Lt.  Aug.  30,  '62;  assig.  to  Co.  I. 

Samuel  G.  Roberts;  21;  2d  Lt.;  Mar.  24,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  A. 

James  B.  Daley,  1st  Sgt, ;  21 ;  July  10,  '61 ;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '62. 

Lancelot  K.  Rowe,  1st  Sgt.;  42;  July  10,  '61 ;  Gloucester;  disch.  for  disability,  Jan.  15,  '63. 

Henry  G.  Hyde,  1st  Sgt,;  22;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  pro.  2d  Lt,;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A; 
re-enlist.  Feb.  29,  '64. 

William  E.  Norris,  Sgt.;  32;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

William  M.  Parrott,  Sgt.;  29;  July  10,  '61;  Gloucester;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  27,  '62. 

Hiram  S.  Feldgen,  Sgt.;  26;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  14,'  61  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

Story  D.  Poole,  Sgt.;  31;  July  10,  '61 ;  Rockport;  transf.  to  N.  C.  S.  as  Qmr.  Sgt.  May  12,  '62. 

Frank  G.  Kelly,  Sgt,;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Lynn;  wounded  Dec.  17,  '62;  disch.  for  disability 
June  23,  '63. 

Edgar  B.  Clements,  Sgt.;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

George  Elwell,  Sgt,;  29;  July  10,  '61 ;  Rockport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C.;  re-enlist,  Jan.  1,  '64. 

William  A.  Stevens,  Sgt.;  40;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64;  as  William  A. 
Stearns. 

J.  Frank  Stimpson,  Sgt,;  26;  Mar.  14,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '63. 

Joshua  Younger,  Sgt.;  30;  Aug.  29,  '61;  Gloucester;  wounded  Dec.  17,  '62;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Ezra  L.  WToodbury,  Corp.;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Seward  P.  Sylvester,  Corp.  18;  July  10,  '61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.-3,  '64. 

Joshua  S.  Prime,  Corp.  39;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  disch.  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 

Henry  A.  Cook,  Corp.;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Gloucester;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C.;  re-enlist,  Dec. 
30,  '63. 


50  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

William  H.  Davis,  Corp.;  24;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  F;  re-enlisted  Dec. 

26,  '63. 
Patrick  H.  Donavan,  Corp.;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan.  1, 

'64. 

Greenleaf  Herman,  Corp.  21;  Jan.  24,  '62;  Baltimore.  Md.  wounded  Dec.  17,  '62;  leg    ampu 
tated  disch.  for  wounds  at  Augusta,  Me.,  May  31,  '63. 

Joseph  W.  Kimball,  Corp. ;  21 ;  July  10,  '61 ;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  Aug.  3/64. 
Calvin  Marshall,  Corp. ;  21 ;  July  30,  '62;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  Aug,  3,  '64. 
Allen  Stone,  Corp.;  30;  Aug.  15,  '62;  Charlestown;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  E.  Batchelder,  Musician;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Wenham;  transf  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist. 

Jan. 1, '64. 

Charles  W.  Buxton,  Wagoner;  29;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  8,  '62. 
JohnN.  Barton,  Private;  36;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  June  12,  '63. 
Albion  M.  Bray,  Private;  22;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Salisbury;  disch.  for  disability  July  12,  '63. 
Edward  D.  Bray,  Private;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Samuel  B.  Bray,  Private;  25;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  T.  Brickett,  Private;  21 ;  July  24,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Lyman  P.  Bromley,  Private;  22;  Aug.  16,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  27,  '63. 
Melvin  M.  Brooks,  Private;  19;  July  10, '61;  Marblehead;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  21,  '62. 
James  W.  Brown,  Private;  36;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  Mar.  18,  '63. 
Franklin  N.  Burchstead,  Private;  35;  July  10,  '61 ;  Beverly;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  23,  '63. 
Alfred  D.  Burditt,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Wenham;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Burnham,  Private;  42;  July  10, '61;  Beverly;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  5,  '61. 
James  Cannon,  Private;  21;  Aug.  12,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  June  26,  '63. 
Francis  H.  Center,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Wenham;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Andrew  T.  Chipman,  Private;  39;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Robert  Chisholm,  Private;  23;  July  10,  '61 ;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  28,  '63. 
William  H.  Clough,  Private;  35;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  disch.  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 
Joseph  H.  Coley,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlist.  Dec.  5, 

'63. 

Nicholas  Congdon,  Private;  25;  July  10,  '61;  Danvers;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  18,  '61. 
Samuel  Courtney ,  Private;  19;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Crockett,  Private;  30;  Aug.  9,  '62;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Jesse  L.  Dame,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Beverly;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlist.  Jan.  1,  '64. 
John  Daggett,  Private;  33;  Aug.  29,  '61 ;  Gloucester;  disch.  for  disability,  Mar.  26,  '63. 
Thomas  Davidson,  Private;  17;  July  10,  '61;    Rockport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist. 

Dec.  28,  '63. 

Daniel  Downs, Private;  39;  July  29,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  19,  '63. 
Felix  Doyle,  Private;  37;  July  10,  '61;  Wenham;  transf.  to  V.  R.  C.  Oct,  14,  '63;  M.  O. 

July  22,  '64. 
Francis  C.  Eaton,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;    Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  14,  '63,  at 

Newbern,  N.  C. 

Franklin  Elliott,  Private;  35;  July  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Enoch  Emory,  Private;  21;  July  30,  '62;  Gloucester;  disch.  for  disability  May  30,  '63  at 

Newbern,  N.  C. 

John  Falvey,  Private;  24;  Aug.  12,  '62;  Marblehead;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  17,  '63. 
David  H.  Felt,  Private;  28;  July  10,  '61 ;  Salem;  disch.  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 
George  Felt,  Private;  26;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  never  left  the  State;  deserted. 
Charles  Femald,  Private;  23;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport  never  left  the  State;  deserted. 
James  Finn,  Private;  29;  July  10/61;  Rockport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64. 
Charles  H.  Flint,  Private;  21;  Aug.  12,  '62;  Marblehead;  d.  Nov.  11,  '62,  at  Newbern  N.  C. 
Nathaniel  H.  Foss,  Private;  20;  July  10,  '61 ;  Hamilton;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Richard  Foss,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61 ;  Hamilton;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  9,  '63. 
Charles  T.  French,  Private;  29;  Jan.  24,  '62;  Baltimore,  Md.;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  16, 

'63. 


COMPANY  G.  51 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Ephraim  Getchell,  Private;  35;  Aug.  5,  '62;  Danvers;  d.  Jan.  25,  '63,  in  hospital  at  Newbera, 

N.C. 

Andrew  Goldthwait,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  never  left  the  State;  deserted. 
William  Gooding,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  discharged  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 
William  Gould,  Private;  35;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  pris.  Feb.  1,  '64;  d.  in  Andersonville, 

Ga.,  May  5,  '64;  No.  of  Gr.  893. 
Charles  H.  Gove;  Private;  19;  July  10,  '  61;  Rockport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Dec. 

28,  '63. 

Joshua  F.  Hatch,  Private;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  3,  '63. 
Henry  Hiatt,  Private;  31;  Aug.  12,  '62;  Gloucester;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  26,  '63;  wound. 

Dec.  17,  '62. 
Daniel  A.  Homan,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Wenham;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '62  as 

David  A.  Homan. 

Benjamin  Huddle,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan  1,  '64. 
John  H.  Ingersoll,  Private;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Gloucester;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist. 

Dec.  30,  '63. 
Edwin  Janes,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted  Jan.  4, 

'64;  prisoner  Mar.  8,  '65. 

Benjamin  Jenkins,  Private;  18;  July  31,  '62;  Bradford;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Levi  F.  Larcom,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Beverly;  d.  Dec.  18,  '61,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
Dennis  Leary,  Private;  41;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  27,  '62. 
Roland  F.  Lewis,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

5,  '64. 

David  P.  Lowe,  Private;  21 ;  July  10,  '61 ;  Gloucester;  never  left  state;  deserted. 
John  A.  Marston,  Private;  38;  Aug.  22,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Marston,  Private;  19;  July  30,  '62;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Silas  Maxwell,  Private;  42;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  d.  at  Newbern,  N.  C.,  Sept.  1,  '62. 
Walter  A.  May,  Private;  27;  July  10, '61;  Rockport;  never  left  state;  deserted. 
Wfilliam  McConnell,  Private;  35;  July  10,  '61;  Beverly;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  7,  '61. 
James  McCormick,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Manchester;  re-enlisted  Jan.  4,  '64;  transf.  to 

New  Organ. 

Thomas  McCormick,  Private;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Manchester;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '63. 
John  McGlinchy,  Private;  28;  July  10,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C.;  re-enlist.  Dec.  7, 

'63. 

Jonn  J.  McKenney,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  23,  '63. 
Jesse  McLoud,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

4,    '64. 

Matthew  Meehan,  Private;  17;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Herman  F.  Morse,  Private;  21;  July  28,  '62;  Bradford;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '63. 
Ckarles  T.  Neal,  Private;  22;  Aug.  26,  '62;  Brookline;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Randall  P.  Newman,  Private;  18;  Oct.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Dec.  5,  '63. 
Horace  Noble,  Private;  22;  July  17,  '61;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  14,   '61;  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 
Hiram  C.  Norcross,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Manchester;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  4,   '64. 

Oliver  A.  Norton,  Private;  29;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  23,  '63. 
William  Ober,  Private;  27;  Aug.  5,  '62;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  H.  O'Hare,  Private;  20;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  no  further  record  Adjt.  Gen.  office, 

Mass.;  never  mustered. 

George  T.  Parker,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  June  23,  '63. 
Olvin  Parsons,  Private;  21;  Aug.  8,  '62;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  Phalan,  Private;  28;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  deserted  Nov.  9,  '61. 
Abraham  Phippin,  Private;  30;  July  10,   '61;  Salem;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Dec.  8,  '63. 


52  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

William  H.  Pinkham,  Private;  21;  Aug.  19,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  Nov.  30,  '63  to  U.  S.  Sig. 
Corps. 

Cyrus  Poole,  Private;  30;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

George  Prior,  Private;  31;  July  10,  '61;  Gloucester;    d.  Sept.  28,   '62,  at   Newbern,  N.  C. 

James  Prior,  Private;  21;  Aug.  12,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Daniel  Pulsifer,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61 ;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Joseph  Quinn,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Jan.  1,  '64. 

John  Reeves,  Private;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  transf.  to  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted  Dec.  30,  '63. 

William  Robbins,  Private;  23:  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  disch.  for  disability  June  19,  '62. 

Henry  C.  Robinson,  Private;  35;  July  10,  "61;  Rockport;  honorably  disch.  for  pro.  as  Act. 
Ens.  U.  S.  N.  Oct.  29,  '63. 

Brynard  P.  Scanlan,  Private;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  M.  0.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Charles  Sharkey,  Private;  33;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Ezra  W.  Skinner,  Private;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  deserted  never  left  state. 

Elvin  Smith,  Private;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  deserted;  never  left  state. 

Ezekiel  H.  Stacey,  Private;  28;  July  10,  '61 ;  Rockport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

James  H.  Stevens,  Private;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Benjamin  F.  Stone,  Private;  42;  July  10,  '61 ;  Salem;  disch.  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 

Hugh  Strain,  Private;  20;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  E.;  re-enlisted  Jan.  1, 
'64. 

Henry  Thomas  Taylor,  Private;  20;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-en 
listed  Dec.  4,  '64;  prisoner  of  war,  Feb.  1,  '64. 

Charles  Trafton,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61 ;  Beverly;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '62. 

Daniel  W.  Turner,     Private;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  never  left  state;  deserted. 

Abram  A.  Tyler,  Private;  28;  May  13,  '64;  Adams;  transf.  to  new  Co.  G. 

John  H.  Tyler,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Wenham;  transf.  to  New  Co.  F.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 
5,  '64. 

Jerome  Wheeler,  Private;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  d.  at  Newberne,  N.  C.  Nov.  19,  '62. 

William  White,  Private;  19;  July  10,  '61;  Boston;  never  left  state;  deserted. 

Orlando  S.  Wight,  Private;  29;  Aug.  19,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

George  M.  Willey,  Private;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '62. 

George  A.  Wilson,  Private;  27;  Oct.  6,  "61;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Maurice  B.  M.  Younger,  Private;  17;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64;  wounded 
Dec.  17,  '62. 


COMPANY  "H.J 


"BRITISH  VOLUNTEERS." 

(The  following  sketch  of  the  formation  of  Company  "H"  of 
the  Seventeenth  is  contributed  by  Capt.  Joseph  A.  Moore,  who 
joined  the  company  as  a  private  at  the  time  of  its  formation.) 

Soon  after  President  Lincoln's  first  call  for  volunteers,  after 
the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter  by  the  rebels  in  April,  1861,  some 
twenty  men,  most  of  them  young,  formed  a  military  drill  club, 


COMPANY  H.  53 

which  met  in  a  hall  on  Bowdoin  Square,  Boston.  The  meetings 
at  first  took  place  once  a  week,  then  oftener,  until  after  about  a 
month,  as  their  numbers  increased,  they  met  nearly  every  evening 
for  drill.  The  drill-master  was  Robert  W.  McCourt,  who  had  seen 
service  in  the  British  army  as  sergeant.  At  first  the  club  was 
composed  almost  exclusively  of  men  of  English  birth  or  parentage, 
but  as  time  passed,  others  were  admitted. 

This  formed  the  nucleus  of  a  company  which  was  afterwards 
recruited  mostly  from  Fall  River,  and  entered  the  United  States 
service  as  company  H,  Seventeenth  Regiment,  Massachusetts 
Volunteer  Infantry.  The  company  went  into  camp  at  Lynnfield, 
July  10,  1861,  being  the  day  of  enlistment  as  borne  on  the  com 
pany's  rolls.  The  commissioned  officers  were:  John  K.  Lloyd, 
captain;  John  S.  Hammond,  first  lieutenant;  Robert  W.  McCourt, 
second  lieutenant. 

In  the  company  wrere  several  men  who  had  seen  service  in  the 
British  army,  among  them  Captain  Lloyd  and  Lieutenant  Mc 
Court,  who  had  served  as  non-commissioned  officers.  The  ex 
perience  of  those  men  was  of  much  benefit  to  the  new  men  when 
first  going  into  camp,  as  they  were  called  upon  to  instruct  the  others 
in  the  many  little  details  of  camp  life,  which  added  to  the  comfort 
of  the  new  soldiers;  but  new  men  were  sometimes  looked  upon  by 
the  older  members  as  inferiors,  which  was  anything  but  pleasing 
to  the  recruit. 

The  experiences  of  camp  life  was  something  new  for  most  of  the 
men,  as  the  younger  ones  who  were  leaving  home  for  the  first  time, 
soon  learned  that  camp  was  not  home.  One  young  man,  but 
little  over  seventeen,  well  remembers  the  first  order  he  received 
on  reaching  camp.  Having  had  a  day's  leave  of  absence  after 
enlisting,  before  going  to  camp,  on  arriving  at  the  company  street, 
and  while  on  his  \vay  to  the  captain's  tent  to  report,  he  was  met 
by  a  sergeant,  who,  after  surveying  the  new  arrival,  said : 

"Here,  you  young  gossoon,  take  a  kettle  and  go  down  to  the 
quartermaster 's  and  get  it  full  of  spuds,  and  tell  the  quartermaster 
it  is  for  the  British  Volunteers." 

While  in  Lynnfield,  the  company  did  the  usual  amount  of 
drilling  and  camp  duty  that  falls  to  the  lot  of  all  new  military 


54  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

organizations.  The  calls  were:  Reveille,  5  A.  M.;  roll  call,  6;  peas 
on  trencher,  7;  surgeons'  call,  7:30;  orderly's  call  (first  sergeant), 
7:30;  troop  guard,  9:45;  assembly  (company  drill),  10:30;  roast 
beef,  12  M.;  assembly  (company  drill),  1:30  P.  M.;  battalion  drill, 
2;  dress  parade,  6:30;  peas  on  trencher,  7;  tatoo,  10;  taps,  10:30. 

The  company  was  sworn  into  the  United  States  service,  July 
22,  1861,  for  three  years,  unless  sooner  discharged.  Before  being 
sworn  in,  the  company  received  from  the  State  of  Massachusetts 
a  gray  uniform,  with  state  buttons,  but  on  August  22d,  it  was  given 
the  uniform  of  the  regular  army  and  arms  and  the  pay  due  from 
the  State. 

About  3  P.  M.,  August  23d,  the  regiment  broke  camp  and  took 
the  cars  from  Boston,  where  the  colors  were  received  just  before 
leaving,  at  10  P.  M.,  at  the  station  of  the  Boston  &  Albany  Railroad. 

The  destination  of  the  regiment  was  then  to  be  Washington. 
The  regiment  arrived  at  New  York  about  3  p.  M.,  and  left  that  city 
at  8  P.  M.  the  following  day,  arriving  at  Philadelphia  at  6  A.  M.  on 
the  25th,  and  had  breakfast  at  the  Old  Cooper's  Shop.  After 
breakfast,  at  9  A.  M.,  cars  were  again  taken,  and  Baltimore  was 
reached  at  4  p.  M.,  and  the  regiment  marched  about  a  mile  outside 
the  city,  and  camped  without  tents.  On  the  26th,  they  shifted 
camp  and  pitched  tents  at  Stewart's  Grove,  near  the  camp  of  Nim's 
Battery.  This  was  named  Camp  Andrew  in  honor  of  our  Massa 
chusetts  governor. 

The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  company : 

ORIGINAL  COMPANY  "H." 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

JohnK.  Lloyd  Capt.;  38;  July  2,  '61;  Boston:  prisoner  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64;  disch.  Mar.  12,  '65. 

John  S.  Hammond,  1st  Lt.;  34;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  resigned  May  15,  '62. 

Archibald  Bogle,  1st  Lt.;  23;  May  28,  '62;  Melrose;  transf.  to  Co.  C. 

John  B.  Hill,  1st  Lt.;  45;  Jan.  3,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  A.;  pris.  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64. 

Philip  C.  Mason,  1st  Lt.;  28;  July  3,  '63;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Thomas  F.  Newton,  1st  Lt.;  34;  July  3,  '63;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Organ. 

Robert  W.  McCourt,  2d  Lt.;  29;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  resigned  Nov.  2,  '61. 

John  B.  Hill,  2d  Lt.;  44;  Aug.  13,  '62;  Haverhill;  pro.  1st  Lt.  May  21,  '63;  pris.  of  war  Feb. 

1,   '64. 

James  Inman,  2d  Lt.;  25;  June  29,  '63;  Danvers;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Honestus  H.  Kimball,  1st  Sgt.;  28;  July  2,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 


COMPANY  H.  55 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OP  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Edward  Stalder,  1st  Sgt.;   32;  July  2,  '61;   Roxbury;  d.  Andersonville,  Ga.,  July  16,  '64; 

grave  No.  3397;  prisoner  of  war. 
Leonard  W.  Philips,  1st  Sgt.;     23;  Jan.  25,   '62;  Bradford;  d.  Andersonville,  Ga.;  Oct.  5, 

'64;  grave  No.  10383;  prisoner  of  war. 

Francis  McGinnis,  Sgt.;  29;  July  2,  '61:  Waltham;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Keyes,  Sgt.;  25;  July  2,  '61  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  14,  '63. 
Ezekiel  F.  Mann,  Sgt.;  24;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Nov.  3,  '61;  transf.  to  Co.  F. 
Richard  Webb,  Sgt.;  22;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  discharged  for  disability  Sept.  28,  '61. 
Charles  H.  Gordon,  Sgt.;  21;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  re-enlisted  Dec.  28,  '63;   pris.  of  war 

Feb.  1,  '64;  d.  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Mar.  26,  '64;  grave  No.  179. 

Joseph  A.  Moore,  Sgt.;  18;  July  2,  '61 ;    Gloucester;  pro.  2d  Lt.  May  17,  '63;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 
John  Melvin,  Sgt.;  23;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  28,  '63. 
John  R.  Nelson,  Sgt.;  19;  July  2,  '61;  Providence,  R.  I.;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Dec.  24,  '63. 

Edward  Owen,  Sgt.;  20;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Joseph  A.  Moore,  Corp.;  18;  July  2,  '61;  Gloucester. 
James  Delaney,  Corp.;  30;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

William  Henrie,  Corp.;  28;  July  2,  '61 ;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D.;  re-enlisted  Dec.  5,  '63. 
Charles  S.  Bolton,  Corp.;  23;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlist.  Feb.  29,  '64. 
Thomas  Clymonts,  Corp.;  19;  July  2,  '61;  New  Bedford;  transf.  to  New  Co.  H.;  re-enlisted 

Dec.   4,    '63. 
Thomas  Cochrane,  Corp.;  19;  July  2,   '61;  Fall  River;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64. 

Michael  Joyce,  Corp.;  22;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  Kay,  Corp.;  26;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Feb.  9, 

'64;  killed  Mar.  8,  '65. 

David  Patten,  Corp.;  38;  Aug.  16,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Charles  W.  Peters,  Corp.;  21;  July  16,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen.  office,  Mass. 
Robert  Turner,  Corp.;  30;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Whittaker,  Corp.;  35;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  A.  Johnson,  Musician;  17;  July  2,   '61;  Maiden;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64. 

Alexander  D.  Avignon,  Musician;  17;  Oct.  21,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  14,  '63. 
George  W.  Eaton,  Wagoner;  36;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  accid.  killed  May  17,  '64,  by  explos. 

of  shell. 

John  Barnett,  Private;  24;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  ab.  pris.  of  war  since  Feb.  1,  '64. 
Leonard  Barrows,  Private;  28;  July  25,  '61;  Bristol,  R.  I.;  rejected  Aug.  1,  '61. 
William  H.  Batchelder,  Private;  24;  July  10,  '61 ;  Salem;  transf.  from  Co.  D.  to  Co.  H.  Sept. 

2,   '62;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  27,  '63. 

Robert  Bowers,  Private;  31;  July  2,  '61;  Brookline;  drowned  at  Newbern,  N.  C.  May  10,  '62. 
James  Boyle,  Private;  20;  July  2,  '61 ;  Boston;  dsich.  for  disability  May  31,  '63  at  Newbern, 

N.  C. 
James  Broadbent,  Private;  27;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  d.  Apr.  10,  '64;  at  Andersonville,  Ga.; 

grave  No.  465;  prisoner  of  war. 

Joseph  Brownley,  Private;  22;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  Brussell,  Private;  29;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  '61. 
Patrick  Burke,  Private;  26;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Feb. 

29,  '64. 
Joseph  L.  Burton,  Private;  20;  Aug.  4,   '62;  Boston;  pris.  of  war  Feb.  1,   '64;  d.  as  pris. 

Columbia,  S.  C.  Sept.  18,  '64;  prisoner  of  war. 

James  Butterworth,  Private;  30;  July  10,  '61;  Fall  River;  deserted  Aug.  13,  '61. 
Michael  Casey,  Private;  21;  Aug.  12,  '62;  Marblehead;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Aug.  2,  '64  ; 

grave  No.  4569;  prisoner  of  war. 
William  Charles  worth,  Private;  28;  July  2,  '61 ;  Boston;  deserted  Aug.  10,  '61. 


56  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Charles  A.  Clarke,  Private;  18;  July  2,  '61;  Maiden;  transf.  to  35th  U.  S.  C.  T.  July  '63; 

M.  O.  as  1st  Lt.  35th  U.  S.  C.  Jan.  1,  '66. 
Dennis  Connor,  Private;  22;  July  2,   '61;  Fall  River;  d.  June  11,   '64,  Andersonville,  Ga; 

grave  No.  1484;  prisoner  of  war. 

Joseph  Coogan,  Private;  35;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Cornelius  Desmond,  Private;  22;  July  10,  '61;  Fall  River;  disch.  for  disability  May  30,  '63. 
Samuel  A.  Dolliber;  Private;  18;  Aug.  12,  '62;  Marblehead;  transf.  to  New^Co.  D.;  re-en 
listed  Jan.  1,  '64. 

William  Driver,  Private;  39;  July  10,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Dunn,  Private;  34;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  27,  '62. 
William  Eastham,  Private;  30;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '61. 
George  Eaton,  Private;  37;  July  10,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  Co.  E.;  killed  May  18,  '64. 
William  Emerson,  Private;  32;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  drowned  May  10,  '62,  at  Newbern, 

N.  C.  (Trent  River). 
James  Evans,  Private;  32;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  d.  July  2,  '64,  Andersonville,  Ga.;  grave 

No.  2785;  prisoner  of  war. 

William  Finlay,  Private;  29;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  deserted  Mar.  24,  '62. 
James  Fleming,  Private;  18;  Aug.  8,  '62;  Boston;  d.  Mar.  16,  '64;  Richmond,  Va.  as  pris. 

of  war;  re-enlisted  Jan.  1,  '64. 

Thomas  Fleming,  Private;  18;  Aug.  11,  '62;  Cambridge;  deserted  June  6,  '63. 
James  Fulee,  Private;  24;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  drum,  out  of  service  Mar.  10,  '62,  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

William  Garrett,  Private;  37;  Sept,  1,  '61;  Baltimore,  Md.;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  Gleason,  Private;  19;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Dec. 

28,  '63. 

Joseph  Greenhalge,  Private;  30;  Aug.  1,  '62;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  Griffin,  Private;  30;  July  2,  '62;  Fall  River;  transf.  to  7th  Reg.  Mass.  Jan.  22,  '61, 

as  a  deserter  from  7th  Rgt. 

James  Hallsworth,  Private;  23;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Warren  Handy,  Private;  23;  Aug.  26,  '62;  Brookline;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Abraham  Hayward,  Private;  22;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Higham,  Private;  39;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Samuel   Howith,  Private;  40;  July  2,  '61 ;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Jackson,  Private;  26;  July  2,  '61;  Saugus;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  27,  '63. 
John  Jameson,  Private;  23;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  deserted  Oct.  23,  '61 . 
John  Kay,  Private;  33;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  J.  Keliher,  Private;   19;  July  2, '61;  Milford;   transf.  to  New   Co.  E.;   re-enlist,  Dec  . 

24, '63. 

Patrick  Kerrigan,  Private;  19;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  27,  '62. 
James  H.  Kiely,  Private;  18;  Aug.  14,  '62;  Marblehead;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlist. 

Jan.  1,  '64. 

Lawrence  Kinney,  Private;  32;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  C.  Kunsman,  Private;  27;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-ealht.  D3C  . 

3, '63. 

John  Levsey,  Private;  38;  July  2,  '61;  Providence,  R,  I.;  deserted  Aug.  12,  '61. 
Thomas  Long,  Private;  21;  July  2,  '61;  Blackstone;  transf.  to  new  Co.  B;  re-ealist.  Dae.  26, 

'63. 

William  Madden,  Private;  28;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '61. 
Henry  Malone,  Private;  43;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  disch.  for  disability  M  ly  22,   '63  at 

Newbern,  N.  C. 

John  Malone,  1st,  Private;  30;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '61. 
John  Malone,  2d,  Private;  28;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
David  Massey,  Private;  23;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  deserted  Oct  25,  '61. 

Patrick  Maxwell,  Private ;  26;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River ;wounded  Dec.  17,  '62;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  McAlevy,  Private;  18;  Aug.  8,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 


COMPANY  H.  57 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OP  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

James  McClusky,  Private;  25;  Aug.  4,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Thomas  McClusky,  Private;  27;  Aug.  4,  '61;  Fall  River;  d.  Jan.  7,  '63  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

Thomas  McHugh,  Private;  30;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Angus  McNab,  Private;  26;  July  2,  '61;  Cambridge;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  F.  Mills,  Private;  23;  Feb.  14,  '62;  Bradford;  transf.  to  New  CD.  D;  re-enlisted  Dec. 

31,  '63. 
Henry  Morris,  Private;  35;  Dec.  19,  '63;  Fall  River;  pris  of  war,  Feb.  1,  '61;  no  further 

record  in  A.  G.  O's  office. 

Michael  Neyland,  Private;  27;  July  10,  '61;  New  Jersey;  deserted  Mir.  22,  '62. 
John  O'Keefe,  Private;  IS;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  kille  1  in  action  Apr.  21,  '61,  at  Washington, 

N.C. 

Joseph  Oliver,  Private;  24;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Benjamin  Palmer,  Private;  20;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Palmer,  Private;  21;  July  22,  '62;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Matthew  Palmer,  Private;  24;  July  22,  '62;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Joseph  Perkins,  Private;  21;  July  22,  '61;  Fall  River;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  29,  '63. 
Henry  N.  Perry,  Private;  31;  Aug.  16,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Pollett,  Private;  19;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  transf.  to  Now  Co.  H;  re-enlist.  D33. 

28,  '63. 

William  Ratcliffe,  Private;  24;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Ridgeway,  Private;  22;  July  29,  '61;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  Riley,  Private;  25;  July  2, '61;  Fall  River;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlist.  Dec.  22, '63. 
Thomas  A.  Rogers,  Private;  21;   Aug.  12,  '62;  Marblehead;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlist. 

Jan.  1,  '64. 
Thomas  Ptowcroft,  Private;  30;  July  2,  '61;   Fall  River;  drown.  May   10,  '62,  at  Newbern, 

N.C. 

Jacob  Schanks,  Private;  20;  July  2,  '61;  Ipswich;  trausf.  to  New  Co.  B,  re-enlist.  Dis.  5,  '63. 
Horace  C.  Smith,  Private;  27;  Aug.  26,  '62;  Brookline;  M.  O.  Au?.  3,  '61. 
Samuel  Smith,  Private;  40;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

William  Stone,  Private;  27;  Aug.  15,  '62;  Marblehead;  dUch.  for  disability  AMI.  13,  '63. 
Joshua  Stowell,  Private;  35;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River:  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  A.  Trasher,  Private;  18;  July  2,  '61;    Fall  River;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;    re-enlist. 

Dec.  22,  '63. 
Patrick  Troy,  Private;  32;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  CD.  D;  re-enlist.  DJC.  17,  '63  ; 

pris.  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64;  d.  Andersonville,  Ga.  Jan.  1,  '65. 

Henry  Tweathe,  Private;  33;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  disch.  for  disability  May  18,  '62. 
Henry  Walch,  Private;  19;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  transf.  as  ab.  pris.  of  war  to  Co.  D;  re- 
enlist.  Dec.  19,  '63;  pris.  of  war,  Feb.  1,  '64. 

William  Walch,  Private;  28;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  deserted  Oct.  7,  '61. 
Frank  Walsh,  Private;  19;  July  22,  '61;  Fall  River;  re-enlist.  Dec.  17,  '63;  d.  May  13,  '64, 

Andersonville,  Ga.  Gr.  No.  1056;  pris.  of  war. 

William  Walton,  Private;  34;  July  2,  '61;  Providence,  R.  I.;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '61. 
William  Warden,  Private;  32;  July  2,  '61;  Fall  River;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  12,  '63. 
Aaron  Warhurst,  Private;  28;  July  2,  '61;  Newbury;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlist.  Dec. 

22,  '63. 

Leonard  H.  West;  Private;  32;  Aug.  18,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  Wicks,  Private;  23;  July  12,  '61;  Amssbury;  disch.  for  disability  Jan,  10,  '63.;  transf. 

from  Co.  D. 

Joseph  Wilkinson,  Private;  35;  Aug.  4,  '62;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  Wilson,  Private;  26;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  pris.  of  war,  Feb.  1,  '64;  no  furthsr  record 

Adjt.  Gen.  office,  Mass. 

Richard  Wright,  Private;  22;  Sept.  2,  '61;  Baltimore,  Md.;  disch.  for  disability  July  17,  '63. 
George  Woodcock,  Private;  20;  July  2,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  disch.  for  disability  June  6,  '62. 
James  Woods,  Private;  24;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  deserted  Aug.  22,  '61. 


58  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

COMPANY  "I,"  LAWRENCE. 


"SAUNDERS  GUARDS." 

Of  the  circumstances  attending  the  organization  of  this  com 
pany,  but  little  is  known  or  can  be  ascertained  by  the  compiler 
of  this  history.  It  was  a  Lawrence  company,  and  named  after 
Hon.  Daniel  Saunders,  ex-mayor  of  that  city.  Lieutenant  James 
Moroney,  who  was  promoted  first  lieutenant  and  transferred 
from  Company  E,  in  which  he  was  serving  as  second  lieutenant, 
thus  writes  of  Company  I,  under  date  of  February  9, 1909 : 

"In  regard  to  Company  I,  I  have  been  looking  around  to  see 
if  I  could  come  across  some  one  of  the  company,  but  there  are 
none  of  them  in  Haverhill.  The  greater  part  of  them  came  from 
Lawrence.  The  poor  fellows,  I  think,  have  nearly  all  passed  away. 
The  company  was  recruited  in  Lawrence.  The  officers  were: 
Thomas  Weir,  captain;  Michael  Burns,  first  lieutenant;  and  Archi 
bald  Bogle,  second  lieutenant.  The  company  mustered  less  men 
than  any  other  in  the  regiment,  and  never  was  recruited  to  its 
full  strength,  which  made  guard  duty  pretty  severe  on  the  boys." 

The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  company : 

ORIGINAL  COMPANY  "I." 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Thomas  Weir,  Capt.;  33;  May  9,  '61 ;  Lawrence;  dismissed  July  3,  '62. 

William  W.  Smith,  Capt,;  24;  July  3,  '62;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  C.  Aug.  14,  '63. 

Nehemiah  P.  Fuller,  Capt.;  31;  July  11,  '61;  Danvers;  transf.  July  30,  '63  to  2d  Hy.  Art. 

Michael  Burns,  1st  Lt.;  21;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  resigned  Jan.  17,  '62. 

James  Moroney,  1st  Lt.;  24;  Jan.  3,  '62;  Haverhill;  resigned  Aug.  1,  '62. 

Linus  B.  Comins,  Jr.,  1st  Lt.;  20;  May  17,  '63;  Roxbury;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Ezekiel  F.  Mann,  1st  Lt.;  25;  Aug.  13,  '62;  Boston;  resigned  May  16,  '63. 

Archibald  Bogle,  2d  Lt,;  22;  May  9,  '61;  Melrose;  transf.  to  Co.  F.  Apr.  '62. 

Horace  Dexter,  2d  Lt.;  36;  Feb.  9,  '62;  Cambridge;  transf.  to  Co.  K.  '62. 

Andrew  Cook,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Aug.  13,  '62;  Danvers;  resigned  Apr.  26,  '63. 

Lewis  Cann,  2d  Lt.  23;  Apr.  26,  '63;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Organ. 

Charles  W.  Judge,  1st  Sgt.;   24;  July  22,  '61;   Haverhill;  wounded  May  22,  '62;  disch.  for 

disability  Jan.  3,    '63. 
James  Smith,  1st  Sgt.;  24;  July  11,  '61 ;  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  G.  as  2d  Lt.;  re-enlisted 

Mar.  25,  '64. 
Thomas  Earle,  Sgt.;  20;   Jan.  14,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  at  Newbem,  N.  C.  Aug. 

25,  '62. 


COMPANY  I.  59 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Michael  Killoran,  Sgt. ;  24;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  d.  Apr.  2,  '64,  Andersonville,  Ga. ;   grave 

No.  296;  prisoner  of  war. 

John  O'Donnell,  Sgt.;  23;  May  2,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  May  31,  '62. 
Laurentia  Bailey,  Segt,;  31;  Oct.  25,  '61;  Groveland;  transf.  to  N.  C.  S.  as  Sgt.-Maj. 
Michael  Carney,  Sgt.;  26;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Henry  Holland,  Sgt.;  23;  Jan.  10,  '62;  Waltham;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
George  O'Neil,  Sgt.;  32;  Dec.  31,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Sept,  2,  '62. 
William  Powers,  Sgt.;  23;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Richard  Spring,  Corp.;  23;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  16,  '63. 
Edward  Sands,  Corp.;  24;  May  10,  '61 ;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  4,  '62. 
John  Pendy,  Corp.;  27;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3.  '64. 
John  Lunney,  Corp.;  19;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  July  16,  '63. 
Joseph  M.  Fish,  Corp.;  21;  Dec.  28,  '61;  Glenn  Falls,  N.  Y.;  pro.  and  comd.  in  12th  N.  Y. 

Vols.,  '62;  wounded  May,  '62. 

Henry  Byram,  Corp.;  21;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Henry  F.  Marden,  Corp.;  26;  Jan.  13,  '62;  Haverhill;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.;  grave  No. 

1733;  wounded  Dec.  17, '62;  June  8,  '64,  prisoner  of  war. 

Michael  Cavanaugh,  Corp.;  22;  May  1,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  June  23,  '63. 
James  Carroll,  Corp.;  23;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Theophilus  Sanborn,  Corp.;  32;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Salisbury;  transf.  from  Co.  D.;  d.  in  Anderson 
ville,  Ga.,  Apr.  5,  '64;  grave  No.  392;  prisoner  of  war. 
Edward  G.  Boyle,  Musician;  16;  May  9,   '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D.;  re-enlisted 

Feb.  14,  '64. 

John  Groom,  Musician;  18;  Jan.  4,  '62;  Lowell;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
James  H.  Brown,  Wagoner;  30;  May  9,   '61:  Lynn;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  11,   '62,  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 

Holden  Adams,  Private;  25;  Jan.  7,  '62;  Methuen;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62. 
James  Anderson;  Private;  26;  Jan.  23,  '62;  Medford;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
Thomas  C.  Boyle,  Private;  33;  July  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
Frank  Brady,  Private;  18;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Dec. 

10,  '63. 

James  Brady,  Private;  19;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  H.  Brown,  Private;  26;  Jan.  21,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  May  29,  '63,  at 

Newbern,  N.  C. 

James  H.  Brown,  Private;  24;  July  22,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  19,  '61. 
James  W.  Brown,  Private;  23;  Jan.  10,  '61;    Boston;  killed  in  act.  May  23,  '62,  at  Newbern, 

N.  C. 

John  H.  Brown,  Private;  39;  Jan.  13,  '62;  Lynn;  disch.  for  disability  Jan.  1,  '63. 
Simeon  V.  Bumpus,  Private;  35;  Dec.  23,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  18,   '62, 

at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

John  Burke,  Private;  22;  Jan.  6,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62. 
Patrick  Burns,  Private;  29;  May  9,  '61;  Methuen;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Byrne,  Private;  22;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Feb. 

13,  '64. 

Richard  Carey,  Private;  18;  Jan.  21,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  13,  '62. 
Joseph  Cavanaugh,  Private;  27;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  Sept,  10,  '61. 
John  A.  Chase,  Private;  18;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  16,  '62;  rejected 

recruit. 

John  Clark,  Private;  27;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  S.  Coleman,  Private;  22;  Jan.  7,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62. 
Michael  H.  Collins,  Private;  22;  May  9,  '61 ;  Lawrence;  deserted  July,  '61. 
William  T.  Collyer,  Private;  33;  Jan.  20,  '62;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62. 
Christopher  Conroy,  Private;  35;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  never  left  state. 
John  Cunningham,  Private;  21;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 


60  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

John  Curry,  Private;  27;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  d.  July  14,  '62,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Maurice  Dailey,  Private;  20;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  A.  Davitt,  Private;  18;  Jan.  18,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  14,  '62. 
David  Dilley,  Private;  19;  Jan.  23,  '62;    Lawrence;  disch.  Mar.  1,  '62,  at   Baltimore,  Md., 

for  disability. 

Florence  Donovan,  Private;  20;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Donovan,  Private;  19;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence,  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Dominick  Dowd,  Private;  19;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Doyle,  Private;  27;  May  9,  '61 ;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  29,  '62. 
William  Ellison,  Private;  22;  Jan.  4,  '62;  Saugus;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 

Christopher  Fagan,  Private;  18;  July  22, '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  17, '61. 
Daniel  Farrington,  Private;  35;  July  24,  '62;  West  Newbury;  d.  of  wounds  June  18,'62,at 

Newbern,  N.  C. 

Thomas  Gallagher,  Private;  23;  July  22,  '61;  South  Reading;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Patrick  Gilliran,  Private;  23;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '63. 
Daniel  Goulding,  Private;  28;  May  9,   '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  fr  disability  Dec.  5,    '61,  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 

Martin  Haskin,  Private;  22;  Jan.  27,  '62;  Medford;  disch.  for  disability  June  23,  '63. 
John  Harkins,  Private;  43;  Dec.  26,  '61;  Lawrence;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

5,   '64. 

Patrick  Harkins,  Private;  19;  Jan.  20,  '62;  Medford;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '63. 
Edward  Harmon,  Private;  19;  Oct.  1,  '62;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Patrick  Hill,  Private;  22;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Feb.  13, 

'64. 
Thomas  Holland,  Private;  19;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  d.  June  15,  '64.  at  Andersonville,  Ga.; 

grave  No.  1986. 

Joseph  G.  Ivers,  Private  ;  22;  Dec.  14,  '61;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62. 
Nehemiah  C.  Ivers,  Private;  25;  Jan.  14,  '62;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  May  29,  '63. 
John  Ivory,  Private;  20;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Franklin  Jones  (alias)  Ames,  Private;  18;  Jan.  20,  '62;  Charlestown;  deserted  Jan.  26,  '62. 
Nathaniel  Jones,  Private;  23;  Dec.  11,  '61;  Lynn;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62,  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

Daniel  Keon,  Private;  21;  May  9,  '61;  Lowell;  deserted  Feb.  7,  '62. 
Patrick  Kiloran,  Private;  22;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '63,  at 

Newbern,  N.  C. 

John  Lahan,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  23, '61,  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

Joseph  Lavalley,  Private;  33;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  d.  June  24,  '64,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
John  O.  Leary,  Private;  18;  May  10, '61;  Lawrence;  killed  in  action  May  22/62,  at  Newbern, 

N.  C. 

John  Lee,  Private;  20;  Jan.  21,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Mar.  12,  '64. 
Joseph  Lilly,  Private;  19;  Jan.  23,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Mar.  1,  '62. 
George  O.  Marden,  Private;  22;  Aug.  17,  '62;  Haverhill;  d.  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Apr.  12, 

'64;  grave  No.  503;  prisoner  of  war;  re-enlisted  Jan.  1,  '64. 
James  J.  Marshall,  Private;  18;  Jan.  28,  '62;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlisted 

Jan.  1,  '64. 

Daniel  Mason,  Private;  26;  Jan.  10,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  D. 
William  Maxwell,  Private;  29;  Jan.  4,   '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,   '62,  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 

John  McAlleer,  Private;  19;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Daniel  McCarty,  Private;  33;  Jan.  22,  '62;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  4,  '64. 
Philip  McMahan,  Private;  29;  May  9,  '61;  Melrose;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Jan. 

5,  '64. 
Thomas  McMahan,  Private;  20;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 


COMPANY  I.  61 


PI  '-"NAME.         RANK.         AGE.         DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.         RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 
Bernard  McMahon,  Private;  25;  Jan.  20,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  June  19,  '62. 
John  McManus,  Private;  22;  May  9,  '61;  Lowell;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  6,  '61,  at  Balti 

more,  Md. 
Patrick  McNamara,  Private;  35;  Dec.  16,  '61;  Lawrence;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.  Apr.  13, 

'64  ;  grave  No.  522  ;  prisoner  of  war. 

John  McShea,  Private;  26;  May  9,  '61;  Salem;  never  left  state;  deserted  July  '61. 
William  Metcalf,  Private;  39;  May  9,  '61  ;  Lawrence;  deserted  July  '61  ;  never  left  state. 
John  Morgan,  Private;  27;  Dec.  30,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62,  at  Balti 

more,  Md. 

John  H.  Morse,  Private;"23;  Jan.  2,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  7,  '63. 
Henry  Norris,  Private;  35;  Dec.  29,  '63;  Fall  River;  prisoner  from  Feb.  1,  '64  to  Apr.  28,  '65. 

transf.  from  Co.  D.  to  Co.  I  as  ab.  pris.  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
William  Norris,  Private;  35;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Dec; 

26,  '63. 

Patrick  O'Brien,  Private;  33;  Jan.  1,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  24,  '63. 
William  B.  O'Connor,  Private;  32;  May  2,  '61;  Lawrence;  M.   O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Samuel  Pierson,  Private;  28;  Jan.  10,  '62;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62. 
Frank  Powers,  Private;  20;  Aug.  23,  '62;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted 

Feb.  11,    '64. 

Patrick  Roach,  Private;  19;  Jan.  23,  '62;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Mar.  3,  '63. 
Peter  Rogers,  Private;  30;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  5,  '61. 
Joseph  Roland,  Private;  35;  Jan.  5,  '62;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Jan.  5,  '64. 
John  Sharkey,  Private;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  deserted  July,  '61.  \ 

Charles  H.  Simonds,  Private;  31;  Jan.  10,  '62;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62,  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 

Charles  Stewart,  Private;  32;  May  10,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  1,  '63. 
George  H.  Stott,  Private;  44;  Dec.  26,  '61;  Lawrence;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62,  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 

Henry  Tighe,  Private;  36;  Jan.  7,  '62:  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62. 
John  Ward,  Private;  22;  May  9,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  July  10,  '63. 
Alfred  Weeks,  Private;  18;  May  9,  '61;  So.  Reading;  deserted  July  '61;  never  left  state. 
Willis  G.Whitmore,  Private;  24;  Jan.  18,  '62;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  10,  '62. 
William  Wilson,  Private;  23;  May  9,  '61;  Lawrence;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B.;  re-enlisted  Mar. 

12,  '64. 
Calvin  W.  Willis,  Private;  49;  Nov.  28,  '63;  Medford;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  July  17,  '64; 

grave  No.  3464;  transf.  from  Co.  D  to  Co.  I  as  ab.  pris.  of  war. 


COMPANY  "K,"  MALDEN. 


"MALDEN  LIGHT  INFANTRY." 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  the  town  of  Maiden  had 
a  military  company  known  as  the  Maiden  Light  Infantry,  which 
formed  the  nucleus  of  Company  K  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment, 
Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry.  At  a  patriotic  meeting  of 


62  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

the  citizens  of  Maiden,  held  April  20,  1861,  a  volunteer  list  was 
presented,  and  so  large  a  number  enrolled  their  names  that  the 
town  felt  warranted  in  organizing  a  company  immediately, 
and  the  sum  of  $2,700  was  soon  subscribed  by  the  citizens  for 
uniforms  and  other  articles  necessary  for  the  comfort  of  the 
volunteers.  The  ladies  also  contributed  in  aid  of  the  company, 
and  a  fine  silk  flag  was  presented  them. 

As  organized  for  the  war,  the  company  was  composed  largely 
of  men  hailing  from  Maiden,  though  a  considerable  number 
were  from  Saugus,  Medford,  and  a  few  from  Melrose  and  Lynn. 
Captain  Joseph  R.  Simonds  of  Melrose,  of  the  old  company,  was 
elected  captain  of  the  new  one;  Ivory  N.  Richardson,  first  lieutenant 
and  Henry  W.  Oliver  of  Maiden,  second  lieutenant. 

The  company  was  organized  on  May  6,  and  was  sustained 
by  the  town  until  they  went  into  camp  at  Lynnfield,  July  10,  1861. 

The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  company : 

ORIGINAL  COMPANY  "K" 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Joseph  R.  Simonds,  Capt.  43;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Melrose;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Ivory  N.  Richardson,  1st  Lt.;  23;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  transf.  to  Co.  F,  '62. 

Enoch  F.  Tompkins,  1st  Lt.;  30;  Apr.  26,  '61;  Haverhill;  pro.  Capt.  and  transf.  to  Co.  B, 
Dec.  19,  '61. 

Barnabas  N.  Mann,  1st  Lt.;  36;  Aug  22,  '61;  Chelsea;  wounded  at  Goldsboro,  Dec.  17,  '63; 
d.  Oct.  8,  '64  in  reb.  pris. 

Jere  A.  Greeley  1st  Lt.;  27;  Apr.  27,  '61;  Salisbury;  transf.  to  Co.  D;  Nov.  7,  '63. 

Henry  W.  Oliver,  2d  Lt.;  31;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  transf.  to  Co.  F,  Jan.  1,  '62. 

Charles  G.  Morse,  2d  Lt.;  29;  Feb.  20'  62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  G,  Aug.  31,  '62. 

Ezekiel^F.^Mann,  2d  Lt.;  24;  Nov.  3,  '61;^Bogton;  wounded  at  Goldsboro,  Dec.  17,  '62; 
transf.  to  Co.  G,  June  20,  '62. 

Horace  Dexter,  2d  Lt.;  36;  Feb.  9,  '62;  Cambridge;  pro.  1st  Lt.  Regtl.  Qm.  Jan.  1,  '63. 

Sylvanus  M.  Sovereen,  2d  Lt.;  23;  Jan  1,  '63;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Henry  A.  Wentworth,  1st  Sgt.;  27;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  June  2,  '62  order  war  dept. , 
for  com.  in  another  Reg. 

Eben  Symonds,  1st  Sgt.;  20;  Apr.  30,  '61:  Maiden;  pro.  2d  Lt.;  transf.  to  New  Co.  F;  re- 
enlist  Dec.  19,  '63. 

SylvanusM.  Sovereen,  1st  Sgt.;21;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  pro.  2d,  Lt.  Jan.  1,  '63. 

Thomas  James,  1st  Sgt.  22 ;  Apr.  3,  '61 ;  Medford;  disch.  for  disability  May  28,  '63. 

James  F.  George,  Sgt;  23;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Melrose;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

George  A.  Eaton,  Sgt.;  20;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  May  31,  '62  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

George  T.  Cady,  Sgt.;  19;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Levi  Cox,  Sgt.;  37;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C;  re-enlist  Dec.  14,  '63. 


COMPANY  K.  63 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Henry  Foskett,  Sgt.;  23;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Mar.  19/64;  Gr.  No. 

70,  pris.  of  war. 

William  Noble,  Sgt.;  42;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Saugus;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  12,  '62. 
David  H.  Cheever,  Sgt.;  23;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  M.  Ash,  Corp.;  25;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  May  25,  '63. 
William  Rankin,  Corp. ;  38;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  transf.  to  Co.  A. 
David  A.  Barrett,  Corp.;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  Bohanan,  Corp. ;  31 ;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Haverhill;  disch.  for  disability  June  10,  '62 . 
James  R.  Gilchrist,  Corp.;  40;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Maiden;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Mar.  27,  '64; 

Gr.  No.  159;  pris.  of  war. 

Charles  H.  Keene,  Corp.;  19;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Medford;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  S.  McAllister,  Corp.;  19;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Saugus;  re-enlist.  Dec.  4,  '63;  d.  in  Anderson - 

vilie,  Ga.,  Aug.  23,  '64;  Gr.  No.  5060;  pris.  of  war. 
Philip  J.  Mealey,  Corp.;  20;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Medford;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Gilman  Page,  Jr.,  Corp.;  19;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  Dec.  7,  '63;  pro.  2d  Lt.,  1st  U.  S.  C. 

Cav. 

Taylor  J.  Valler,  Corp.;  20;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Feb.  13,  '64. 
Abel  R.  Wilson,  Corp.;  19;  July  22,  '61;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64. 
William  T.  Ash,  Corp.;  22;  Oct.  12,  '61;  Suagus;  M.  O.  Oct.  11,  '64  at  Boston,  Mass. 
James  M.  Patterson,  Corp.;  39;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlist.  Dec. 

11, '63. 

George  H.  Penny,  Corp.;  23;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Saugus;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  H.  Lewis,  Musician;  18;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Medford;  transf.  to  New  Co  A;  re-enlist.  Jan.  4, 

'64. 
John  J.  Patterson,  Musician;  15;  Jan.  22,  '62;  Baltimore,  Md. ;  disch.  expir.  of  term,  July 

11, '65. 

David  F.  Redman,  Muscian;  21;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  14,  '61. 
Franklin  S.  Ryorson,  Wagoner;  33;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  Ames,  Private;  35;  July  21,  '62;  Charlestown;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Feb. 

13,  '64. 

Louis  Artault,  Private;  20;Apr.  30,  '61;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  A.  Barnes,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Oscar  Biebar,  Private;  27;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  ab.  pris.  of  war  since  Feb.  1,  '64;  no  fur. 

rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 

Joseph  P.  Bittner,  Private;  23;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  W.  A.  Brown,  Private;  21;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Benjamin  F.  Cannon,  Private;  21 ;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  F.  Carleton,  Private;  24;  April  30,  '61 ;  Saugus;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Reuben  R.  Coates,  Private;  24;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Saugus ;  disch.  Oct.  9,  '62  for  disability. 
John  H.  Copp,  Private;  24;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Saugus;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  11,  '62. 
James  M.  Crawford,  Private;  31;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Maiden;  wound.  Dec.  17,  '62;  disch.  for  wounds 

May  21,  '63,  at  Boston,  Mass. 

Albert  W.  Crockett,  Private;  19;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Melrose;  re-enlist.  Jan  5,  '64;  d.  Anderson 
ville,  Ga/Aug.  1,  '64;  Gr.  No.  4483,  pris.  of  war. 
William  H.  Cruse,  Private;  25;  Apr.  30,  '61-  Maiden:  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlist.  Dec. 

7, '63. 

James  L.  Dale,  Private;  21;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Jan.  4,  '64. 
Thomas  Dane,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Medford;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A.;  re-enlist.  Feb.  13, 

'64. 

John  Driscoll,  Private;  34;  Aug.  11,  '62;  Maiden-  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
John  Driscoll,  Private;  21;  Oct.  20,  '61 ;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen'ls  office,  Mass. 
Robert  Ellis,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Medford;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  Finn,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Edward  Fitzgerald,  Private;  21;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  expir.  of  serv.  Sept.  2,  '64 


64  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Daniel  Flye,  Private;  21 ;  July  22,  '61 ;  Saugus;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C;  re-enlist.  Feb  13,  '64. 
Joseph  W.  Flye,  Private;  25;  July  22,  '61;  Saugus;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '63  at  New- 

bern,  N.  C. 

Thomas  Gateley,  Private;  18;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  S.  Gibbs,  Private;  19;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  Graham,  Private;  31 ;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
George  H.  Grover,  Private;  20;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  Sept.  2,  '62  for  disability. 
John  C.  Grover,  Private;  18;  July  22,  '61;  Melrose;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist.  Dec. 

28,  '63. 

Brinsley  P.  Guilford,  Private;  40;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Saugus;  M  .O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Noah  G.  Harriman,  Private;  28;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Saugus;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  23,  '61  at 

Baltimore,  Md. 
Joseph  W.  Haynes,  Private;  23;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A:  re-enlist. 

Jan.  5,  '64. 

Jesse  Hitchings,  Private;  38;jApr.  30,  '61;  Saugus;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  Hopwood,  Private;  35;[Aug.  12,  '62;  Lowell;  deserted  Apr.  22,  '63. 
Oliver  Jenness,  Private;  24;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  31,  '61  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

George  H.  Johnson,  Private;  23;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Jan  8,  '62. 
George  L.  Johnson,  Private;  23;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  18,  '63. 
George  M.  Keen,  Private;  19;  Feb.  13,  '62;  Medford;  transf.  to  New  Cos.  A  and  E;  re-enlist. 

Jan.  4,  '64. 

Thomas  J.  Kelley,  Private;  32;  Nov.  20,  '63;  Maiden;  transf.  to  New  Co.  C. 
Samuel  S.  Kendrick,  Private;  41;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Raymond  Kennedy,  Private;  21;  Aug.  15,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Samuel  Kenny,  Private;  30;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Medford;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  A.  Kidder,  Private;  19;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Saugus;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  Kirwan,  Private;  32;  Aug.  11,  '62;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  May  30,  '63. 
Samuel  Langley,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Saugus;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
William  J.  Laskey,  Private;  39;  Aug.  27,  '62;  Boston;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Augustus  B.  Lewis,  Private;  22;  Aug.  8,  '62;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  June  23,  '63. 
Maurice  Mader,  Private;  32;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.   14,   '61  at 

Baltimore,  Md.      •*•  ••* 

Cyrus  L.  Marston,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  d.  Nov.  2,  '62  at  Newborn,  N.  C. 
David  T.  Marston,  Private;  30;  Aug.  29,  '62;  Taunton;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

William  C.  McAllister,  Private;  27;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  June  23,  '64. 
Michael  McDonnell,  Private;  20;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  deserted  Aug.  23,  '61 . 
William  McElroy,  Private;  32;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Nov.  23,   '62. 
Michael  McKeon,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Thomas  McNally,  Private;  18;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  6,  '63. 
Joseph  E.  Mills,  Private;  18;  July  22,  '61;  Boston;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlist.  Dec.  4, 

'63. 

William  Mirrick,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Charles  J.  Moore,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  31,  '62. 
Edward  Moran,  Private;  21;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Malen;  disch.  for  disability  Dec.  9,  '63. 
Andrew  Morton,  Private;  18;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Sept.  12,  '62. 
George  W.  Moulton,  Private;  38;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
James  Nelson,  Private;  42;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Maurice  O'Riley,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  transf.  to  New  Co.  B;  re-enlist.  Dec.  26, 

'63. 

Gilbert  Page',  Private;  21 ;  July  22,  '61 ;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Tony  Peabody,  Jr.,  Private;  25;  Apr.  30, '61 ;  Melrose;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Alonzo  Penny,  Private;  25;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 
Joseph  H.  Putnam,  Private;  24;  Apr.  30,  '61:  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 


COMPANY  K.  65 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Edwin  W.  Reed,  Private;  24;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Saugus;  disch.  for  disability  Aug.  15,  '63. 

Charles  Renand,  Private;  34;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  diseh.  for  disability  June  23,  '63. 

Francis  Revoire,  Private;  40;  Apr.  30,'61;  Maiden:  disch.  fordisability  Feb.  1, '63. 

James  Roots,  Jr.,  Private;  40;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  .Saugus;  disch.  for  disability  Sept  11,  '62. 

John  Rosenbach,  Private;  27;  July  22,  '61 ;  Newburyport ;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Daniel  M.  Russell,  Private;  32;  April  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Otis  T.  Simonds,  Private;  29;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  1,  '63. 

John  Smith,  Private;  31;  Oct.  23,  '61;  Boston;  re-enlist.  December  29,  '63;  d.  at  Ander- 
sonville,  Ga.,  May  S,  '64.  Gr.  No.  976;  pris.  of  war. 

John  S.  Smith,  Private;  44;  Oct.  26,  '62;  Taunton;  transf.  to  New  Co.  A;  re-enlist  Feb.  11, 
'64. 

Thomas  Smith,  Private;  21 :  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  2,  '63. 

Thomas  H.   Speed,  Private;  34;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Maiden;  d.  Mar.  25,   '64  in  Richmond,  Va., 
pris.  of  war. 

William  Stack,  Private;  27;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

William  L.  Stocker,  Private;  30;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Saugus;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Homer  R.  Stratton,  Private;  20;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Apr.  17,  '63. 

Joseph  Stratton,  Jr.,  Private;  26;  July  22,  '61;  Chelsea;  disch.  for  disability  June  23,  '63. 

Charles  W.  Sweetser,  Private;  22;  Apr.  30,  '61 ;  Saugus;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Lewis  W.  Thompson,  Private;  36;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

James  M.  Tufts,  Private;  41 ;  Aug.  7,  '62;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Daniel  Waitt,  Private;  26;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Medford;  disch.  for  disability  Oct.  26,  '61  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

Harrison  Waitt,  Private;  21;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.   16,  '62  at 
Baltimore,  Md. 

Michael  Welch,  Private;  30;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

Charles  A.  Wells,  Private;  26;  July  22,  '61;  Charlestown;  Nov.  23,  '61,  at  Baltimore;  disch. 
for  disability. 

James  W.  Wilson,  Private;  28;  July  22,  '61 ;  Maiden;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 

John  H.  Wilson,  Private;  21;  Apr.  30,  '61;  Saugus;  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  '64. 


CHAPTER  III. 


PORTRAITS  WITH  BIOGRAPHIES  OF  FIELD  AND  STAFF — COMPANY 
OFFICERS — I?TH  MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY- 
FIRST  ORGANIZATION. 


COLONEL  THOMAS  ISAAC  COFFIN  AMORY. 

Thomas  I.  C.  Amory  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  November 
27,  1828.  He  was  the  son  of  Jonathan  Amory,  who  succeeded  his 
father  in  business  in  the  house  of  Jonathan  Amory  &  Son,  and  who 
was  United  States  Dispatch  Agent  during  the  Civil  War.  His 
wife,  the  mother  of  Thomas  I.  C.  Amory,  was  a  Miss  Austin,  whose 
father,  an  English  physician,  owned  a  sugar  plantation  in  Demarara, 
British  Guiana, where  Miss  Austin  was  born  in  1809.  Thomas  I. 
C.  Amory 's  grandfather,  Jonathan  Amory,  died  in  Boston  about 
the  time  he  (Colonel  Amory)  was  born,  and  had  been  a  successful 
merchant.  He  married  a  daughter  of  James  Sullivan,  who  had 
been  attorney-general,  was  the  sixth  governor  of  Massachusetts, 
and  whose  brother  was  General  John  Sullivan  of  the  Revolutionary 
Army,  and  governor  of  New  Hampshire. 

T.  I.  C.  Amory 's  younger  days  were  passed  mostly  at  board 
ing-schools,  and  he  spent  some  time  at  a  boarding-school  in  New 
port,  R.  I.  His  father's  family  were  living  at  Roxbury,  Mass.,  in 
1846,  when  he  received  his  appointment  as  a  cadet  to  West  Point, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1851.  Upon  graduation  he  was 
brevetted  second  lieutenant  and  assigned  to  the  7th  United  States 
Infantry,  in  which  regiment  he  served  until  1860,  when  he  was 
ordered  to  Boston  on  recruiting  service,  and  was  there  on  duty  at 

the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War. 

(66) 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  67 

He  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant  in  the  regular  army, 
August  21,  1851;  first  lieutenant,  October  16,  1855;  captain,  May 
7,  1861;  and  major  of  the  8th  United  States  Infantry,  September 
19,  1864.  His  service  with  the  7th  United  States  Infantry  was 
mostly  in  the  West  and  Southwest.  He  was  for  a  time  at  Jefferson 
Barracks,  Mo.,  and  afterwards  at  Fort  Smith,  Ark.  At  the  latter 
place  he  married,  in  1853,  Miss  Xolan,  who  died  a  few  days  before 
her  husband,  in  October,  1864,  at  Beaufort,  N.  C.  Their  oldest 
son  died  at  Newberne,  N.  C.,  in  1863.  Their  oldest  daughter 
died  in  1878,  while  at  school  at  Pelham  Priory,  New  Rochelle, 
X.  Y.  The  other  children — two  sons  and  a  daughter — are  still 
living — one  of  the  sons  in  Wilmington,  Del.,  the  other  son  and 
daughter  in  New  York  City. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  WTar,  Thomas  I.  C.  Amory, 
then  a  lieutenant,  was  for  a  time  the  only  regular  army  officer  in 
Massachusetts,  and  was  very  useful  to  Governor  Andrew  in  offering 
opinion  and  advice  as  to  equipment  and  organization  of  the  first 
regiments  that  went  to  the  front  from  this  state.  He  was  also 
Acting  Commissary  of  Musters  of  the  first  regiments  going  from 
Massachusetts  into  the  United  States  Service,  until  Governor 
Andrew  insisted  upon  his  going  to  Baltimore  to  take  command 
of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry,  of  which 
regiment  he  was  commissioned  colonel  September  12,  1861.  The 
regiment  had  been  in  Baltimore  nearly  two  months,  under  command 
of  Lieut-Col.  Fellows,  when  Colonel  Amory  joined  it,  but  he  soon 
became  a  great  favorite  with  the  men  for  his  uniform  courtesy 
and  kindness  to  all,  and  for  the  interest  which  he  manifested  in  the 
efficiency  and  welfare  of  the  regiment.  He  was  a  good  disciplina 
rian,  without  being  unnecessarily  strict  or  exacting,  and  was  always 
ready  to  listen  to  complaints  or  grievances  of  the  men,  and  to  do 
all  in  his  power  to  make  army  life  pleasant  to  them. 

After  the  regiment  was  sent  to  Newberne,  N.  C.,  early  in  1862, 
Colonel  Amory,  much  to  the  regret  of  the  officers  and  men,  was 
detached  as  acting  brigadier-general  and  the  Seventeenth  knew 
him  only  as  commander  of  the  brigade  of  which  it  formed  a  part. 
But  they  knew  that  he  still  retained  a  lively  interest  and  affection 
for  his  old  command.  He  was  in  active  command  of  his  brigade 


68  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

in  North  Carolina,  and  participated  in  all  the  expeditions  and 
battles  in  that  department  until  the  latter  part  of  1864. 

When  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  was  reorganized,  after  the 
expiration  of  its  term  of  service  in  July,  1864,  he  became  colonel 
of  the  new  regiment,  though  he  still  retained  command  of  the 
brigade  to  which  it  was  attached,  at  Morehead  City,  Captain 
Henry  Splaine  being  placed  in  command  of  the  regiment,  of  which 
he  afterwards  became  colonel. 

In  the  fall  of  1864,  yellow  fever  broke  out  in  the  depart 
ment  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  very  destructive  among  the  ne 
groes  that  congregated  there.  A  negro  servant  in  Colonel  Amory  's 
family,  it  was  said,  brought  the  fever  into  it,  which  resulted  in  the 
death  of  Mrs.  Amory  and  her  mother,  and  a  few  days  later  the 
colonel  succumbed  to  the  same  disease.  His  death  occurred  at 
Beaufort,  N.  C.,  on  October  7,  1864. 

One  of  the  members  of  Company  G,  of  the  Seventeenth 
(Thomas  H.  Taylor),  writing  in  an  article  published  in  the  " Salem 
Gazette/ '  September  17,  1886,  of  the  experiences  of  his  company 
in  the  regiment,  some  twenty-five  years  after  the  close  of  the  war, 
said  of  him: 

"  Colonel  T.  I.  C.  Amory  fell  a  victim  to  this  terrible  disease. 
He  was  one  of  the  few  commanding  officers  who  remained  at  his 
post  of  duty,  and  in  doing  so,  fell  a  victim.     A  perfect  soldier  and 
a  gentlemen.     His  loss  was  sincerely  mourned  by  all  the  depart 
ment." 

To  show  how  sincere  and  lasting  was  the  affection  that  Col. 
Amory  inspired  in  the  men  of  the  Seventeenth,  at  the  annual  re 
union  of  the  surviving  members  of  that  regiment,  on  August  28, 
1899,  his  youngest  daughter,  Mrs.  Laura  Amory  Dugan,  who  was 
born  in  Newberne,  N.  C.,  in  May,  1864,  during  the  third  Confed 
erate  attack  on  that  city,  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Regimental 
Association,  and  adopted  as  the  "  Daughter  of  the  Regiment." 

Col.  T.  I.  C.  Amory  was  brevetted  Brigadier-General  before 
his  death.  He  will  always  be  kindly  remembered  by  his  comrades 
as  long  as  any  one  of  them  survives. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  69 

LIEUT.-COLOXEL  JOHN  FOSTER  FELLOWS. 

John  Foster  Fellows  was  the  son  of  Oliver  and  Sarah  Fellows. 
He  was  born  at  Ipswich,  Mass.,  on  January  8,  1815.  When  but 
six  weeks  old,  his  parents  moved  to  Salem,  where  he  lived  until 
1842.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  that  city.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-eight  years  he  moved  to  Boston,  and  became  con 
nected  with  the  "Boston  Atlas"  (the  organ  of  the  Whig  Party  in 
Massachusetts)  as  chief  book-keeper.  He  was  also  connected  with 
the  "Boston  Courier"  for  several  years.  He  was,  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  one  of  the  oldest  militia  officers  in  the  state.  In  1845, 
he  became  a  resident  of  Chelsea. 

He  joined  the  Salem  Infantry  in  1835,  and  was  made  corporal 
of  the  company  October  1st  of  that  year.  He  became  sergeant 
October  25,  1837,  and  lieutenant  in  the  same  company  in  1842. 
After  his  removal  to  Chelsea,  he  organized,  on  September  20,  1852, 
the  Chelesa  Light  Infantry,  Company  F,  Seventh  Regiment,  4th 
Brigade,  2d  Division,  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Militia.  He  was 
commissioned  captain  of  the  Chelsea  company  October  7,  1852. 

In  1855  or  1856,  while  Captain  Fellows  was  in  command  of  the 
company,  the  community  was  disturbed  by  the  ranting  of  a  re 
ligious  fanatic,  who  was  styled  the  Angel  Gabriel,  because  he  carried 
a  trumpet,  on  which  he  would  blow  a  blast  from  time  to  time,  in 
order  to  attract  attention  and  draw  a  crowd  to  hear  him.  This 
fellow  did  not  confine  himself  to  preaching  on  the  Custom  House 
steps  and  other  places  in  Boston,  but  took  in  the  suburbs  as  well. 
On  one  particular  Sunday,  Gabriel  was  advertised  to  hold  forth 
in  Chelsea,  and  a  crowd  of  fanatics  and  others  followed  him,  the 
latter  principally  to  "see  the  fun."  In  Chelsea  they  were  joined 
by  other  crowds,  and  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  on  Mount 
Bellingham  was  attacked  and  threatened  with  destruction.  See 
ing  the  danger  from  the  mob,  Captain  Fellows  assembled  his  com 
pany,  marched  them  to  the  scene  of  the  riot,  saved  the  church, 
dispersed  the  mob,  and  then  made  application  to  the  proper  au 
thorities  for  leave  to  call  out  his  company. 

This  episode  well  illustrates  the  character  of  the  man  who 
afterwards  played  so  prominent  a  part  in  the  Civil  War,  as  the 


70  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

officer  in  command  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  In 
fantry.  He  resigned  the  command  of  the  Chelsea  Light  Infantry, 
November  20,  1857.  He  was  commissioned  captain  and  quarter 
master  of  the  Fourth  Brigade,  2nd  Division,  M.  V.  M.,  Aug. 20,1858. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War,  Captain  Fellows  was 
stationed  at  Fort  Warren,  Boston  Harbor,  as  quartermaster  on  the 
staff  of  General  Joseph  Andrews,  commanding  the  fort.  He  was 
commissioned  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts 
Volunteer  Infantry,  August  21,  1861.  On  August  22d,  Governor 
Andrew  went  into  the  adjutant-general's  office,  and  expressed  a 
desire  that  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  should  start  for  the  front 
the  following  day.  Colonel  Fellows  was  at  Fort  Warren,  and  the 
boat  had  made  its  last  trip  for  the  day,  when  the  news  of  the 
departure  of  the  regiment  was  received.  Adjutant  John  G. 
Chambers  volunteered  to  have  Colonel  Fellows  in  Boston  that 
night.  This  he  accomplished  with  a  sailboat. 

Colonel  Fellows  took  command  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment 
on  August  23,  1861,  at  Lynnfield,  and  the  regiment  left  Massa 
chusetts  for  the  front  that  night.  Colonel  Fellows  commanded 
the  regiment  until  Colonel  Amory  assumed  command  in  Baltimore, 
Md.  When  the  regiment  left  Baltimore,  March  27,  1862,  in  two 
steamers,  Colonel  Fellows  commanded  five  companies  on  one  of 
the  steamers. 

The  regiment  arrived  in  Newberne,  N.  C.,  April  1,  1862,  and 
the  following  day  Colonel  Amory  wras  assigned  to  the  command 
of  the  First  Brigade  of  Foster's  Division,  Burnsides  Corps.  From 
that  time  up  to  the  time  the  regiment  served  its  term  of  enlistment 
except  after  his  capture  at  Batchelder's  Creek,  February  1,  1864, 
Colonel  Fellows  was  in  active  command  the  greater  part  of  the 
time.  The  story  of  the  capture  of  a  section  of  the  Seventeenth 
Regiment,  with  all  its  officers,  is  told  elsewhere.  Colonel  Fellows  was 
confined  in  Libby  Prison,  in  Richmond,  in  Macon,  Ga.,  Colum 
bia,  S.  C.,  Savannah,  Ga.,  and  Charleston,  S.  C.,  in  which  latter 
place,  he,  with  other  Union  officers,  was  lodged  in  a  section  of  the 
city  which  was  exposed  to  the  bombardment  from  guns  of  Fort 
Wagner,  on  Morris  Island.  But  the  prisoners  were  fortunate  in 
the  fact  that  the  building  in  which  they  were  lodged  was  not  hit, 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  71 

though  many  of  those  in  the  vicinity  received  serious  injury.  At 
the  end  of  the  siege  he  was  exchanged  and  returned  home  much 
exhausted  by  the  strain  upon  his  nervous  system.  He  was  dis 
charged  August  3,  1864,  and  commissioned  colonel  October  9, 
1864,  but  was  not  mustered. 

Colonel  Fellows  was  a  good  officer  and  a  brave  man.  He  was 
at  the  head  of  his  regiment  in  every  encounter  up  to  the  time  of  his 
capture.  He  was  popular  with  the  officers  and  men,  and  his  cap 
ture  was  greatly  deplored  by  them.  There  were  few  more  faithful, 
loyal  and  efficient  officers  in  the  department  of  North  Carolina 
than  Colonel  Fellows. 

Before  the  war,  Colonel  Fellows  filled  a  number  of  important 
offices  in  his  home  city.  He  was  elected  and  served  as  a  member 
of  the  Chelsea  Common  Council  for  1857,  and  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Aldermen  for  1858.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  Pales 
tine  Commandery  Knights  Templars,  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of 
Skekinah,  and  Past  Master  of  Robert  Lash  Lodge  F.  and  A.  M.,  and 
also  a  member  of  Theodore  Winthrop  Post  35,  G.  A.  R. 

He  was  appointed  deputy  collector  of  internal  revenues  of  the 
4th  district  by  Collector  Sargent,  in  1868,  and  held  that  position 
until  the  4th  district  office  was  abolished.  He  was  also  treasurer 
of  the  Chelsea  Savings  Bank  for  twelve  years,  which  position  he 
resigned  on  account  of  ill  health  a  few  months  before  his  death, 
which  occurred  at  his  residence  in  Chelsea,  after  a  lingering  illness, 
of  paralysis  of  the  brain,  on  July  6,  1888. 

Two  sons  and  two  daughters  survived  him,  one  of  the  former 
of  whom  is  Capt.  Charles  O.  Fellows,  who  served  with  distinction 
in  both  the  old  and  new  organizations  of  the  Seventeenth  Regi 
ment.  Colonel  Fellows  was  a  gentleman  in  every  sense  of  the 
word,  and  his  bearing  towards  one  and  all  was  with  the  courtesy 
belonging  to  the  old  school.  He  was  beloved  by  all  who  knew  or 
came  in  contact  with  him.  At  his  funeral  the  body  was  escorted 
by  the  veterans  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  Association,  under 
Colonel  Henry  Splaine;  by  commands  of  Theodore  Winthrop  Post 
35,  G.  A.  R.;  and  by  delegations  of  the  Masonic  fraternities  to 
which  he  belonged.  Thus  fittingly  closed  the  useful  life  of  a  brave 
and  loyal  man  both  in  war  and  in  peace. 


72  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

MAJOR  JONES  FRANKLE. 

One  of  the  best  known  and  most  active  officers  of  the  depart 
ment  of  North  Carolina  during  the  Civil  War  was  Major  Jones 
Frankle  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry. 
Not  only  was  he  on  active  duty  with  his  regiment  during  his  con 
nection  with  it,  but  he  assumed  and  discharged  other  military  func 
tions  with  zeal.  He  became  colonel  of  the  Second  Massachusetts 
Heavy  Artillery,  which  he  personally  recruited,  and  was  promoted 
to  brevet  brigadier-general  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Major  Frankle 
was  a  strict  disciplinarian,  and  was  strictly  honorable  in  all  rela 
tions  with  men  in  and  out  of  the  military  service. 

Jones  Frankle  was  born  in  Silesia,  a  province  of  southeastern 
Prussia,  April  17,  1829.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  school  of 
his  native  town  until,  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  he  was  entered  at  the 
gymnasium  of  Breslau,  the  capital  of  the  province  of  Silesia.  At 
the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered  the  University  of  Breslau.  At  this 
time  also,  he  was  enrolled  as  a  one-year  volunteer  in  the  regular 
army  of  Prussia,  to  serve  for  promotion.  According  to  the  usage 
obtaining  at  the  time,  the  volunteer  for  a  year's  service  had  to 
maintain  himself  during  the  probationary  period,  at  the  end  of 
which  time,  if  he  passed  examination,  he  was  received  as  an  officer 
in  the  regular  service. 

At  the  close  of  the  year,  young  Frankle  passed  the  examination 
and  qualified  for  lieutenant  in  the  landwehr,  or  reserve  force,  of  the 
regular  army.  In  the  meantime  the  dispute  with  Denmark,  in 
regard  to  boundary,  and  other  matters,  known  as  the  Seleswig- 
Holstein  affair,  had  led  to  hostilities  between  Prussia  and  Den 
mark,  and  the  regiment  to  which  Lieutenant  Frankle  was  attached 
was  ordered  to  the  scene  of  strife.  This  was  in  1848.  In  this  war 
and  subsequently  he  served  two  years,  when  he  returned  to  the 
University  to  resume  his  studies. 

In  1854,  he  came  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  New  York. 
He  did  not  remain  long  in  that  city,  but  came  to  Boston.  From 
the  latter  city,  he  drifted  north  to  Essex  County,  finding  occupa 
tion  in  the  cities  and  towns  of  the  Merrimac  Valley — Newburyport, 


ME-   '*     * 


I 


LAURA  CAROLINA  AMORY. 


FREDERICK  T.  GREENHALGI 


CAPT.  EDWARD  T.  PARKINSON*. 


PHILIP  C'.  MASON*,  Co.  "A." 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  73 

Amesbury,  West  Newbury  and  Haverhill — as  a  teacher  in  high 
schools  and  private  classes  of  the  French  and  German  languages. 

Mr.  Frankle's  first  essay  to  obtain  military  service  was  when 
he  joined  the  Ben  Perley  Poore  Battalion  at  West  Newbury  as 
lieutenant.  This  battalion  was  afterwards  incorporated  a  com 
pany  of  the  Nineteenth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  with  Captain 
Stamvood  in  command.  Mr.  Frankle's  duty  with  this  battalion 
was  that  of  drill-master.  He,  however,  remained  with  it  only  two 
weeks,  when  he  received  from  Governor  Andrew  a  commission  as 
captain,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Fourteenth  Massachusetts  In 
fantry  (afterwards  the  First  Heavy  Artillery),  which  was  then  in 
process  of  formation.  But  the  men  of  the  company  which  he  was 
to  command,  and  which  was  only  partially  filled,  were,  in  the  final 
re-arrangement  of  companies,  distributed  among  other  companies 
of  the  regiment,  and  the  captain  was  without  a  command. 

To  make  amends  for  the  disappointment,  however,  Captain 
Frankle  received  the  appointment  of  major,  and  was  assigned  to 
the  Seventeenth  Regiment,  then  in  process  of  formation  at  Camp 
Schouler  in  Lynnfield.  Colonel  Fellows  joined  the  regiment  the 
same  day  of  its  departure  for  the  seat  of  war,  August  23d.  At 
Baltimore,  Colonel  Amory  took  command  of  the  regiment. 

In  the  early  part  of  1863,  Major-General  Foster  noting  how 
inadequately  the  city  of  Newberne  was  defended  from  attack  by 
Umd  (and  there  had  been  several  attacks  made  by  the  Confederates 
up  to  that  time)  wrote  to  Governor  Andrew,  suggesting  that  a 
regiment  of  heavy  artillery  be  raised  and  equipped  by  the  state  of 
Massachusetts,  and  recommending  that  Major  Frankle  be  com 
missioned  to  raise  and  command  such  a  regiment.  In  response  to 
this  request,  Governor  Andrew  issued  an  order  for  the  recruitment 
of  such  a  regiment  in  the  state,  appointing  Major  Frankle  as  colonel 
of  the  same.  The  major  returned  to  Boston,  in  May,  1863,  and 
began  the  work  of  enlisting  the  new  regiment.  He  met  with  such 
success  that  in  September  of  that  year  he  had  the  regiment  recruited 
to  its  full  complement  of  1800  men,  and  returned  with  it  to  New- 
berno,  where  he  manned  the  forts  about  the  city. 


74  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

While  Colonel  Frankle  was  in  command  of  the  defences  of 
Newberne,  the  yellow  fever  broke  out,  and  raged  with  violence  in 
that  city  and  its  vicinity,  Colonel  Amory  of  the  Seventeenth  Massa 
chusetts  being  one  of  its  victims.  At  this  time,  General  Palmer, 
who  was  in  command  of  the  district  of  North  Carolina,  went  to 
Washington,  and  General  Harland,  who  commanded  the  district 
of  Newberne,  assumed  his  duties.  This  change  left  that  post 
vacant,  and  Colonel  Frankle,  who  was  the  only  available  officer  of 
sufficient  rank,  assumed  command  of  the  Newberne  district. 

Stories  and  anecdotes  without  number  have  been  told  of  Major 
Frankle.  He  was  known  as  the  "  Little  Major.' ' 

Since  the  above  sketch  was  written,  General  Frankle,  who  had 
suffered  from  prostatitis,  and  had  undergone  surgical  treatment 
for  it,  succumbed  to  the  disease,  and  died  on  April  15,  1909 — two 
days  before  completing  his  eightieth  year. 


MAJOR  LUTHER  DAY. 

Major  Luther  Day  was  born  in  Bradford,  Mass.,  February  23, 
1829.  He  was  of  old  Colonial  stock,  being  descended  from  one  of 
three  brothers  who  came  from  England  and  settled  at  Ipswich 
in  1635.  His  grandfather,  Moses  Day,  settled  at  Wrard  Hill, 
Bradford,  in  1770,  whose  son,  Joseph  Day,  married  Fidelia  Hale, 
June  20,  1824.  Joseph  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  Bailey, 
Judson,  Luther,  Fidelia,  Pearl,  George  WT.  and  Joseph  Warren 
Day.  Joseph  Warren  Day  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  with  the  major.  Major  Day  married  twice,  his 
first  wife  being  Martha  Jane  Shattuck,  whom  he  married  October 
17,  1850.  Their  children  were  Helen  Eva  (Currier)  Day  and 
Martha  Jane.  His  second  wife  was  Emeline  Eaton  Clement  of 
Newburyport,  whom  he  married  July  13,  1867.  There  were  born 
from  this  marriage  Luther  Clement,  Anne  M.,  Albert  B.,  and 
Marion  L.  Luther  C.,  when  a  young  fellow,  joined  the  46th 
United  States  Volunteers,  for  service  in  the  Philippines,  where 
he  served  two  years. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  75 

Major  Day  was  one  of  the  first  captains  to  organize  a  company 
of  volunteers  in  the  early  spring  of  1861.  On  the  19th  of  April, 
1861,  he  went  to  Boston  to  see  the  Hale  Guards  off  to  Washington, 
and  while  in  Boston  took  out  enlistment  papers  at  the  State  House. 
Upon  his  return  home,  he,  with  others,  recruited  a  full  company 
in  one  day.  The  captaincy  was  offered  to  Dr.  A.  K.  Towle,  who 
declined,  and  Mr.  Day  was  unanimously  elected  captain,  and  was 
commissioned  as  such  April  26,  1861.  Captain  Day  made  several 
efforts  to  have  his  company  put  into  camp  and  receive  recognition 
as  a  military  body.  He  failed  to  do  this  so  often  that,  discouraged, 
he  went  to  Governor  Andrew,  and  told  him  that  he  and  his  com 
pany  were  about  to  join  a  New  York  regiment. 

The  governor,  seeing  that  Captain  Day  meant  all  that  he 
said,  ordered  the  company  into  camp.  This  relieved  the  town  and 
people  of  Haverhill  from  the  expense  of  supporting  the  company 
and  aiding  some  of  the  families  of  the  members. 

The  captain  was  mustered  into  United  States  service  July  22, 
1861,  and  was  promoted  major  December  29,  1863.  He  was 
mustered  out  at  expiration  of  service  August  3,  1864. 

Major  Day  was  a  handsome  man,  of  commanding  appearance, 
extremely  neat  and  painstaking  and  strictly  a  business  officer.  He 
was  known  among  the  officers  and  men  of  the  command  as  a  strict 
and  unbending  disciplinarian,  yet  never  forgetting  to  look  after 
the  interests  of  the  command. 

Major  Day  died  in  Haverhill  May  30,  1896. 


ADJUTANT  BARNABAS  N.  MANN. 

Barnabas  N.  Mann  was  born  in  Chelsea,  Mass.,  in  1824,  of  a 
very  respectable  family.  Quite  early  in  life  he  manifested  a  strong, 
inclination  for  a  military  career,  and  as  early  as  September  30,. 


76  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

1852,  he  became  a  member  of  the  Chelsea  Light  Infantry,  which 
company  had  been  organized  and  commanded  by  the  late  Col. 
John  F.  Fellows  of  Chelsea.  Mr.  Mann  enlisted  as  a  private,  but 
later  became  first  sergeant  of  the  company,  and  at  the  beginning 
of  the  Civil  War,  was  adjutant  of  the  7th  Regiment,  M.  V.  M. 

When  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  was  organized  at  Lynnfield, 
in  1861,  Barney  Mann  (as  he  wras  familiarly  called)  ivas  commis 
sioned  a  first  lieutenant,  and  appointed  adjutant.  In  this  con 
nection  it  may  be  truly  said  that  he  was  one  of  the  most  faithful, 
painstaking  and  efficient  officers  the  regiment  ever  had. 

During  the  stay  of  the  command  in  Baltimore,  Lieut.  Mann 
was  married  to  Miss  Love,  an  estimable  lady  of  that  city. 

He  was  taken  prisoner  on  the  morning  of  February  1,  1864,  at 
Batchelder's  Creek,  N.  C.,  and  died  October  8,  of  the  same  year 
in  a  rebel  prison. 

Barnabas  N.  Mann  was  a  firm  friend  to  Colonel  Fellows  and 
a  trusted  official.  Who  among  the  survivors  of  the  regiment  that 
does  not  remember  his  soldierly  presence  and  masterly  activity? 
"I  believe,"  writes  John  H.  Tyler,  "that  he  did  more  to  promote 
discipline  and  good  order  in  the  early  days  of  the  regimental  history 
than  any  other  officer  that  we  had.' 7 

Notable  among  his  many  brave  acts  was  the  burning  of  the 
Goldsboro  railroad  bridge,  on  December  17,  1862.  Gen.  J.  G. 
Foster,  commanding  the  Union  forces  on  that  occasion,  had  de 
tailed  Capt.  George  W.  Graham  to  burn  that  bridge,  and  although 
the  latter  wore  the  uniform  of  a  Confederate  officer  that  day,  he 
failed  in  his  attempt  to  fire  the  bridge.  In  running  back  from  the 
bridge,  after  his  failure,  he  exclaimed,  "No  use!  No  use!  It  can't 
be  done!"  Thereupon  General  Foster  ordered  Colonel  Fellows, 
commanding  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  to  make  a 
detail  to  burn  the  bridge.  When  Colonel  Fellows  called  for  volun 
teers,  many  stepped  forward.  From  these  he  chose  Lieut.  Barnabas 
N.  Mann  and  Privates  Edmands  and  Besse  of  Company  A.  Lieu 
tenant  Mann  and  his  aids,  amid  a  hail  of  bullets,  approached  the 
bridge,  set  fire  to  it,  and  it  was  quickly  destroyed.  Lieutenant 
Mann  was  severely  wounded  in  this  heroic  enterprise,  from  the 
effects  of  which  he  never  fullv  recovered. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  77 

Barney  Mann  has  answered  the  last  roll  call.  He  went  to  his 
death  in  the  Southland  with  the  conviction  that  he  had  done  his 
duty  to  his  country  and  its  flag;  and  while  his  death  was  far  from 
kindred,  and  among  the  enemies  of  his  country,  it  was  a  noble  one — 
one  of  self-sacrifice — the  death  of  a  true  man  and  a  hero. 


ADJUTANT  HENRY  A.  CHEEVER. 

There  are  but  few  officers  or  men  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment 
more  deserving  of  credit  and  prominent  mention  than  the  late 
Adjutant  Cheever. 

Henry  A.  Cheever  was  the  son  of  Deacon  Joseph  Cheever,  and 
was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  in  1839.  His  family  removed  to  Chelsea, 
Mass.,  when  Henry  was  a  young  lad,  and  it  was  in  Chelsea  that  he 
was  educated  and  obtained  his  early  training  for  the  military  ser 
vice  which  he  so  faithfully  performed.  He  was  graduated  from  the 
High  School  but  a  short  time  before  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  In 
his  youth  he  was  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  town.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Chelsea  Library  Association,  and  was  also 
active  in  the  fire  department  in  those  days,  and  was  captain  of  the 
Chelsea  Wide-awakes  in  the  Lincoln  and  Hamlin  campaign  in  1860. 
He  was  also  a  member  of  Company  F,  7th  Regiment,  M.  V.  M., 
which  company  was  commanded  at  the  time  by  the  late  lamented 
Colonel  John  F.  Fellows. 

Mr.  Cheever  was  commissioned  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  early 
part  of  the  Civil  War,  was  assigned  to  the  Seventeenth  Regiment, 
and  was  appointed  adjutant  to  succeed  the  late  Barnabas  N.  Mann. 
That  he  proved  himself  to  be  a  thoroughly  efficient  officer  is  well 
known  to  the  survivors  of  his  regiment. 

Adjutant  Cheever  was  severely  wounded  at  Batchelder's 
Creek,  N.  C.,  on  the  morning  of  February  1st,  1864,  was  taken  pris 
oner,  and  his  life  saved  only  by  the  efforts  and  skill  of  the  late  Sur- 


78  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  KEGIMENT. 

geon  Galloupe.  Indeed,  his  death  was  currently  reported  at  con 
siderable  length  in  the  Boston  papers  at  the  time.  He  recover 
ed,  however,  and  returned  to  his  home  in  Chelsea,  and  after  a 
season  of  recuperation,  returned  to  his  regiment.  But  his  wound 
was  a  source  of  constant  annoyance  to  him  to  the  day  of  his  death. 

Henry  A.  Cheever  was  naturally  a  genial  man,  sometimes 
erratic  in  temperament,  but  that  was  always  overlooked  by  those 
who  knew  and  loved  him  for  his  sterling  good  qualities.  He  made 
and  kept  strong  friendships  for  more  than  half  a  century,  and  when 
the  last  words  were  spoken  over  what  was  once  Henry  Cheever, 
men  who  knewT  him  best  realized  that  a  good  man  had  gone  beyond 
recall,  and  those  friends  sincerely  mourn  his  loss. 

Adjutant  Cheever  was  married  to  Miss  DeBacon  of  Chelsea. 
The  fruit  of  that  union  was  one  daughter,  whom  Henry  idolized. 
She  was  taken  away  in  early  childhood,  however,  and  from  that 
moment  the  spirit  of  the  father  was  broken,  and  without  doubt  he 
brooded  over  the  loss  of  his  daughter  until  the  day  of  his  death. 

He  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  New  York  soon  after 
the  war,  and  was  for  some  time  an  employee  of  the  Treasury  De 
partment  at  Washington,  D.  C.  During  the  latter  portion  of  his 
life  he  was  engaged  in  the  prosecution  of  pension  claims.  He 
opened  an  office  in  Boston,  which  was  known  to  thousands  of  old 
soldiers  throughout  the  state  as  "The  Adjutant's  Tent,"  where 
veterans  of  the  war  were  always  welcome. 

He  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Theodore  Winthrop  Post 
35,  G.  A.  R,,  of  Chelsea,  but  later  became  a  member  of  John  A.  An 
drew  Post  15,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Boston.  He  was  also  a  member  of 
Hooker  Command,  U.  V.  U.  He  died  in  Boston  in  1903,  and  his 
body  was  escorted  to  the  grave  at  Woodlawn  Cemetery,  Chelsea, 
by  a  delegation  of  Hancook  Command,  U.  V.  U.  of  Chelsea. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  79 

DR.  I.  F.  GALLOUPE. 

Isaac  Francis  Galloupe,  physician  and  surgeon,  eminent  in 
both  branches  of  the  curative  art,  was  born  in  Beverly,  Mass., 
June  27,  1823.  He  was  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Annie  (Allen)  Gal- 
loupe,  a  descendant  of  an  old  Colonial  family  of  Essex  County. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  the  academy  of  his  na 
tive  town,  and  by  private  tutelage.  He  afterwards  studied  medi 
cine  at  the  Tremont  Street  Medical  School  in  Boston,  where  he 
obtained  his  diploma  of  M.  D.  in  March,  1849. 

He  began  as  a  physician  at  Lynn,  Mass.,  in  1849,  where  he 
soon  built  up  an  extensive  practice.  On  November  27,  1854,  he 
married  Lydia  Davis  Ellis,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons — Francis 
Ellis,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Tech 
nology,  with  the  degree  of  S.  B.,  1876,  in  mechanical  engineering, 
and  Charles  William,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  A.  B.,  1879, 
and  M.  D.  of  Harvard  Medical  School.  The  latter  is  a  practising 
physician  of  Boston. 

Dr.  Galloupe  was  well  known  to  every  comrade  who  served 
in  the  Civil  War  in  the  department  of  North  Carolina,  where  he 
served  as  regimental,  brigade  and  division  surgeon,  and  post 
surgeon  at  Newbern,  N.  C.  He  was  also  medical  director  of  the 
18th  Army  Corps,  and  was  in  charge  of  the  United  States  Army 
General  Hospital  at  Newbern,  with  the  rank  of  Major  and  Brevet 
Lieut. -Colonel.  After  the  war  he  served  as  examining  surgeon  of 
the  United  States  Pension  Bureau  of  Boston  for  twenty-five  years. 
In  his  residential  city  of  Lynn,  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board  and  as  city  physician.  In  politics  he  was  a  staunch  Repub 
lican;  in  religion,  a  Congregationalist.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Massachusetts  Medical  Society,  Essex  SDuth  District  Medical 
Society,  Lynn  Medical  Society,  a  Mason,  a  member  of  the  Society 
of  Colonial  Wars,  Loyal  Legion,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Sons 
of  the  American  Revolution,  Massachusetts  Association  of  Prison 
ers  of  War,  and  the  Lynn  Historical  Society.  These  few  facts 
sum  up  too  briefly  the  events  and  occupations  of  an  exceedingly 
busy  and  useful  life, — a  life  filled  with  fine  achievements  and  noble 
sacrifices. 


80  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

On  December  11,  1862  he  accompanied  the  expedition  under 
General  Foster  frcm  Newbern  to  Goldsboro  as  Brigade  Suigeon  of 
the  First  Brigade,  operating  surgeon  and  surgeon  in  charge  of 
transportation  of  the  wounded.  At  the  battle  of  Kinston,  on  the 
14th,  he  established  a  field  hospital,  at  which  he  was  busily  engaged 
from  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  ten  at  night  in  performing 
operations,  without  leaving  his  post  for  any  purpose,  or  partaking 
of  food,  until  the  last  wounded  man  was  properly  cared  for.  Among 
those  operated  on  was  a  successful  case  of  amputation  of  the 
shoulder  joint  and  upper  third  of  the  thigh  on  one  person. 

On  the  16th  of  December,  at  the  Battle  of  Whitehall,  he  es 
tablished  a  field  hospital  in  a  hollow,  which  proved  to  be  so  near 
the  firing  line  that  pieces  of  shell  fell  among  the  wounded,  one  of 
which  struck  his  foot,  not,  however,  causing  injury,  and  he  was 
obliged  to  move  the  hospital  further  to  the  rear. 

On  December  17,  at  Goldsboro,  he  took  a  farmhouse  for  a 
hospital,  close  to  the  battlefield,  and  remained  there  until  the  army 
had  retired,  after  accomplishing  its  object,  and  the  missiles  of  the 
enemy  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  remove  the  wounded.  He 
superintended  the  removal  of  these,  several  hundred  in  number, 
to  Newbern,  a  distance  of  about  eighty  miles,  through  woods  and 
over  rough  roads,  a  considerable  part  of  which  was  corduroy.  On 
the  return  of  the  expedition,  Acting  Brigadier  General  Amory,  in 
his  report  to  the  Commanding  General,  said:  "Where  all  did 
their  duty  well  it  seems  unnecessary  to  mention  names,  but  I  feel 
compelled,  in  this  place,  to  testify  to  the  fidelity  with  which  Doctor 
Galloupe,  the  senior  surgeon  of  the  brigade,  discharged  his  duties. 
His  efficiency  at  all  times,  and  his  care  of  the  wounded,  merit  the 
highest  praise." 

On  February  1,  1864,  an  attack  was  made  on  a  strong  outpost 
at  Batchelder  's  Creek,  twelve  miles  from  Newbern,  at  one  o  'clock 
in  the  morning.  The  firing  being  heavy,  and  continuing  for  an 
unusual  length  of  time,  Doctor  Galloupe  repaired  to  the  place  with 
a  hospital  corps  and  several  ambulances.  His  stretcher  men  began 
to  pick  up  the  wounded,  the  first  one  brought  in  being  Lieut. 
Cheever,  adjutant  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment .  While  Doctor 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  81 

Galloupe  was  in  the  act  of  removing  a  musket  ball  from  a  wound  in 
his  chest,  he  was  surrounded  by  rebel  cavalry  and  taken  prisoner. 

He  soon  realized  that  the  Confederate  force  was  a  large  one 
under  General  Pickett,  and  that  its  object  was  the  capture  of 
Newbern.  The  Union  force,  while  retreating,  kept  up  a  constant 
artillery  fire,  and  after  arriving  within  the  line  of  defence,  opened 
with  heavy  guns,  and  mortars,  and  continued  the  firing  all  that 
day  and  the  next,  killing  and  wounding  many  of  the  Confederates. 
To  all  of  this  firing  he  was  exposed,  and  although  fragments  of 
shell  were  clattering  all  around  him,  none  hit  him.  At  about 
5  P.  M.,  February  2d,  he  was  started  with  about  300  other  prisoners 
towards  Kinston.  The  road  was  sandy,  the  feet  sinking  three 
inches  with  each  step.  He  had  on  heavy  cavalry  boots,  and  was 
compelled  to  walk  under  these  circumstances  to  Kinston,  a  dis 
tance  of  twenty-five  miles  within  twenty-five  hours.  When  he 
arrived  there  his  strength  was  exhausted,  and  his  feet  and  legs  so 
swollen  and  inflamed  by  the  rough  march,  that  it  was  two  months 
before  he  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the  exposure.  No  food  was 
furnished  him  for  three  days.  At  this  extremity,  his  condition 
becoming  known  to  Surgeon  W.  A.  Holt,  C.  S.  Army,  that  gentle 
man  at  once  came  to  his  relief.  His  gratitude  to  Surgeon  Holt 
need  hardly  be  said  was  hearty  and  lasting. 

Doctor  Galloupe  was  exchanged  on  the  first  of  March,  1864, 
and  after  a  month  7s  rest  at  his  home  in  Lynn,  returned  to  Newbern, 
N.  C.,  where  he  renewed  his  former  duties.  On  June  10,  he  was 
again  appointed  Post  Surgeon  of  Newbern,  and  filled  that  office 
until  the  last  of  July,  1864,  when  his  three  years'  term  of  service 
having  expired,  and  his  health  being  much  impaired,  he  returned 
with  his  regiment,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  August  10, 1864. 


CHAPLAIN  WILLIAM  D'ARCY  HALEY. 

Chaplain  Haley  was  born  in  London,  England,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  with  his  father  when  a  mere  boy.  His  mother, 
Harriet  D'Arcy  Haley,  died  in  England.  His  people  were  of 


82  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Kent  in  Hampshire  County,  and  were  recognized  for  many  genera 
tions  for  their  literary  attainments.  His  education  was  completed 
in  the  United  States,  having  taken  courses  in  Harvard,  and  at  Mead- 
ville  Theological  Seminary.  His  first  wife  was  Archidamia  Maria 
Gammons  of  Rochester,  Mass.  The  only  child  by  this  union  was 
Grace  Alton,  now  the  accomplished  and  beautiful  Mrs.  Grace  G. 
Barnum  of  New  Haven,  Conn.  Chaplain  Haley  and  his  wife 
visited  England,  where  he  declined  the  pastorate  of  a  London 
Church. 

Upon  their  return  to  the  United  States,  they  resided  in  Wash 
ington  where  our  chaplain  became  pastor  of  the  First  Unitarian 
Church, — "All  Souls, — which  has  been  since  the  place  of  worship 
of  the  Presidents.  During  their  stay  in  Washington,  Chaplain 
Haley  and  his  wife  made  many  dear  and  influential  friends. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  in  the  spring  of  1861, 
the  Reverend  William  Haley,  believing  the  best  place  for  a  patri 
otic  minister  was  with  the  army,  secured  an  appointment  as 
chaplain  in  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry  Volunteers, 
then  organizing  at  Lynnfield,  Mass. 

He  served  with  his  regiment  for  about  ten  months,  when  his 
failing  health  demanded  a  change.  He  resigned,  and  paid  a  visit 
to  England.  While  in  London,  he  was  requested  by  those  who 
knew  his  talents  best,  to  deliver  a  sermon  in  St.  Paul's.  This 
sermon  was  a  remarkable  one.  It  was  published  in  the  leading 
papers  of  the  United  Kingdom.  The  commentators  of  that  time 
said  it  was  equal  to  the  best  the  great  Mr.  Spurgeon  ever  preached. 
Shortly  after  this  he  returned  to  the  United  States,  where  he  gave 
up  the  pulpit  for  the  sword,  and  became  a  captain  of  cavalry  in  a 
New  York  Regiment. 

As  a  cavalry  officer,  he  rendered  good  service  to  his  adopted 
country.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  he  and  his  family  went  to 
California,  where  his  wife  died.  Some  time  after  he  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Holmes  of  New  York.  From  this  union  there  were  born, 
a  son,  Herbert  Holmes  Haley,  and  a  daughter,  lone  D'Arcy  Haley. 
For  years  before  his  death  he  was  editor  of  the  "  San  Jose  Mercury/ ' 
was  connected  with  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  was  a  33d  degree  Mason. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  83 

Upon  his  death,  in  1890,  the  whole  city  of  San  Francisco  paid 
tribute  to  his  intellectual  worth.  He  was  a  most  brilliant  and  a 
kind-hearted  man.  During  his  service  with  the  Seventeenth 
Regiment,  he  was  noted  for  his  generosity,  his  kindness  to  all — 
sick  or  well — and  was  ever  ready  to  give  help  to  the  suffering, 
either  spiritually  or  temporally.  He  campaigned  with  his  regi 
ment,  and  showed  the  true  courage  of  the  soldier,  yet  never  for 
getting  the  dignity  of  his  high  office. 


QUARTERMASTER  ROBERT  HARRIS. 

Quartermaster  Robert  Harris  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachu 
setts  Infantry  Volunteers  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  1830. 
He  was  of  a  highly  respectable  family,  members  of  it  having  held 
high  positions  of  trust  and  were  also  of  high  social  standing. 
Robert  entered  the  United  States  Navy  as  captain's  clerk  at  the 
age  of  fifteen,  serving  under  Capt.  Robert  Wyman,  commander 
of  the  United  States  Frigate  "Columbus."  His  cruise  on  this 
ship  was  a  most  eventful  one.  The  presence  of  the  "Columbus" 
in  Japanese  waters  was,  perhaps,  the  first  step  towards  an  under 
standing  between  the  United  States  and  the  empire  of  Japan. 

In  1845,  the  captain  of  the  "Columbus' '  was  ordered  to  China 
on  duty  there,  and  also  to  investigate  the  chances  of  opening  com 
munication  and  trade  with  Japan.  Fortunately,  the  "  Columbus' ' 
had  picked  up  a  Japanese  vessel,  which  had  been  blown  off  the 
coast  and  was  in  distress.  The  Americans  cared- for  the  vessel  and 
crew  and  landed  them  safely  on  the  Japanese  coast.  Acts  of 
kindness  from  the  Japanese  were  made  in  return  for  the  gallantry 
of  the  Americans,  who  were  permitted  to  send  ashore  and  get 
plenty  of  fresh  water.  This  incident  of  Americans  saving  the  dis 
tressed  Japanese  crew  was  without  doubt  the  means  of  bringing 
about  an  understanding  between  the  United  States  and  the  Japan 
ese  empire,  heretofore  hermetically  sealed  against  all  Occidentals. 

The  facts  above  related  happened  ten  years  before  Commo 
dore  Perry  landed  in  Japan  and  secured  the  signing  of  a  treaty  be- 


84  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

tween  the  two  nations.  At  the  termination  of  Master  Harris' 
cruise  of  three  years,  and  having  grown  tired  of  life  on  the  "ocean 
wave/'  he  entered  the  office  of  the  well-known  engineer,  J.  W. 
Brooks,  afterwards  for  a  long  time  president  of  the  Michigan 
Central  Railroad  Company. 

While  a  very  young  man,  Mr.  Harris  had  some  service  as  engi 
neer  on  New  England  railroads.  In  1857,  he  became  engineer  for 
the  Beloit  &  Madison  Railroad  in  Wisconsin,  after  which  he  rose 
to  be  manager,  vice-president  and  president  of  some  of  the  most 
important  railroads  in  the  country. 

In  1861,  he  joined  the  Volunteer  Army,  and  on  January  9, 
1862,  became  quartermaster  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts 
Volunteers.  In  this  position  his  worth  as  an  army  officer  became 
so  apparent  that  he  was  made  a  commissary  of  subsistence  in  the 
army,  with  the  rank  of  captain.  After  a  period  of  most  active  and 
patriotic  service  in  the  war,  he  resigned  in  1863  to  accept  an  im 
portant  position  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  R.  R. 

His  services  were  so  valuable  to  the  corporation  that  soon  he 
became  manager-superintendent  of  the  vast  system.  After  thir 
teen  years  with  this  road,  he  became  an  important  factor  in  other 
railroad  systems,  rendering  such  important  services  as  to  make  his 
name  familiar  among  railroad  men  all  over  the  country.  Quarter 
master  Harris  was  a  man  of  great  ability.  He  was  successful  in 
everything  he  undertook,  was  of  strict  integrity  and  was  an  honest 
and  fearless  man.  Many  railroad  systems  which  had  been  on  the 
brink  of  dissolution,  were  made  safe,  solvent  and  successful  under 
the  wise  care  or  good  advice  of  Robert  Harris. 

In  1857,  Mr.  Harris  married  Mary  Willis  Duncan  of  Haverhill, 
Mass.,  thereby  allying  himself  with  the  most  prominent  family 
of  that  town,  and  as  prominent  as  any  family  in  the  state  of  Massa 
chusetts,  the  head  of  which  was  the  Hon.  James  H.  Duncan,  who 
had  been  a  member  of  Congress,  was  an  able  lawyer,  a  brilliant 
public  speaker  and  a  most  patriotic  gentleman.  He  and  the 
queenly  Mrs.  Duncan,  (nee  Mary  Willis),  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Willis  of  Charlestown,  Mass.,  and  their  children — James  Henry, 
Rebecca,  Mary  Willis,  Susan  Reynolds,  Samuel  White,  Rosanna, 
Elizabeth,  George  Willis,  Caroline  and  Margaret— made  as  many 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  85 

sacrifices  for  the  cause  of  the  Union  in  their  efforts,  at  the  cost  of 
time  and  money,  preparing  volunteers  for  the  front  and  looking 
after  the  welfare  of  the  families  of  the  soldiers  during  the  war,  as 
any  family  in  the  state  of  Massachusetts. 

Captain  Harris  died  in  the  spring  of  1894,  at  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
His  funeral  was  held  at  his  old  home  in  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  His 
wife  survived  him  until  1910,  when,  surrounded  by  those  she  most 
loved,  she  quietly  passed  away. 

One  of  the  Duncan  boys,  Samuel  W.,  became  a  captain  in  the 
Union  Army.  He  rendered  brave  and  valuable  service  to  his 
country  during  the  Civil  War.  He  married  Sarah  Margaret  Fuller 
Greene,  daughter  of  Judge  Albert  Gorton  Greene  of  Providence, 
R.  I.  Judge  Greene  was  the  author  of  "  Old  Grimes.' ' 

Capt.  Samuel  Duncan  died  at  the  age  of  59,  leaving  two  sons, 
Albert  Greene  Duncan  and  Samuel  W.  Duncan,  and  one  daughter, 
who  is  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  John  M.  McGann  of  Columbus,  Ohio. 
Elizabeth  married  the  Rev.  Theodore  T.  Munger  of  New  Haven, 
Conn.  George  married  Elizabeth  Damon  of  Concord,  Mass. 
He  died  in  Rome,  Italy,  February,  1884,  leaving  two  boys  who  are 
now  living.  Margaret  is  Mrs.  Stephen  H.  Phillips  of  Salem,  Mass. 
She  has  two  sons,  Stephen  and  James  D.  Phillips. 


CAPTAIN  SIDNEY  C.  BANCROFT. 

Sidney  C.  Bancroft  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass,  (in  that  section 
which  is  now  part  of  Peabody),  April  22,  1826.  He  was  married 
October  26,  1853,  to  Mary  G.  Goodale,  by  whom  he  had  two  daugh 
ters,  one  of  whom  is  now  (November  30,  1909)  living.  He  died 
July  28,  1891. 

Early  in  life  he  worked  as  a  mason  with  his  brother  Alpheus. 
Later  he  studied  law  with  Otis  P.  Lord,  afterward  Judge  Lord  of 
the  Supreme  Judicial  Court,  and  being  possessed  of  a  comprehen 
sive  mind  was  an  apt  and  successful  student. 

He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  April  26,  1852,  and  took  up  the 
practice  which  Judge  Lord  had  relinquished  when  promoted  to 


86  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

the  bench,  and  which  was  successfully  maintained  by  Mr.  Ban 
croft  for  some  years.  It  is  said  that  his  practice  netted  the  young 
lawyer  as  much  as  $5000  a  year,  a  very  large  sum  for  those  days, 
and  one  which  Mr.  Bancroft  perhaps  never  afterwards  equalled, 
for  his  business  capacity  and  habits  were  not  equal  to  his  other 
mental  equipment.  He  had  what  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  marks 
of  genius — a  disinclination  to  regular  application  and  systematic 
effort,  attributes  fatal  to  business  success.  He  seemed  to  prefer 
to  do  nothing  unless  in  the  mood  for  work,  and  then  only  for  the 
kind  suited  to  his  taste.  But  these  desultory  exhibitions  of  his 
abilities  were  always  of  great  excellence  and  often  brilliant.  He 
disliked  forms  and  cared  only  for  the  substance.  To  illustrate 
this  peculiarity,  the  gentleman  who  has  furnished  a  sketch  of 
Captain  Bancroft  relates  that  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  once 
told  a  friend  of  his  that  the  Court  had  received  a  brief  from  Mr. 
Bancroft,  which  by  its  force  and  perspicuity,  compelled  the  ad 
miration  of  the  judges,  but  it  was  written  on  cheap  colored  paper 
with  a  lead  pencil. 

In  all  other  respects,  however,  his  character,  like  his  ability, 
was  far  above  the  average.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  pure  and 
scholarly  tastes.  He  was  a  close  reasoner,  an  attractive  speaker 
and  an  able  parliamentarian — a  man  of  genius  in  fact,  and  his 
friends  believe  that  under  favorable  conditions  his  might  have  been 
one  of  the  noted  names  in  the  history  of  his  country. 

Captain  Bancroft 's  ideas  of  war  were  of  a  nature  that  makes 
it  a  matter  of  surprise  that  he  ever  assumed  the  sword  of  conflict. 
He  held  that  force  had  always  proven  an  unsatisfactory  means  of 
settling  national  differences  as  of  private  ones,  and  that  an  inter 
national  tribunal  would  eventually  take  the  place  of  the  present 
costly  armaments  of  nations.  All  wars  of  aggression  or  conquest, 
notwithstanding  the  glamor  of  victory  thrown  around  them,  he 
believed  to  be  wholesale  murder. 

The  wonder  is  that  a  man  with  such  sentiments — for  he  believed 
that  war  was  justifiable  with  nations  as  with  individuals  only  in 
self-defence — would  become  a  soldier;  and  his  resignation  before 
the  regiment  entered  into  the  real  campaign  work  of  the  war  was 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  87 

perhaps  most  natural.     While  the  regiment  was  still  in  Baltimore 
he  resigned  his  command  of  Company  B  on  December  18,  1861. 


CAPTAIN  NEHEMIAH  PUTNAM  FULLER. 

Captain  Nehemiah  Putnam  Fuller  was  born  in  Middleton, 
Mass.,  May  17th,  1830.  He  was  the  son  of  Nehemiah  P.  and  Mary 
A.  (Perkins)  Fuller.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Middleton,  but  had  to  seek  employment  when  quite 
young,  as  the  family  needed  his  assistance.  He  worked  at  the  shoe 
business  in  Danvers,  Mass.,  some  time,  but  being  of  a  roving  and 
romantic  disposition  he  soon  travelled  abroad,  making  his  way  and 
earning  his  living  in  many  strange  lands.  It  was  assumed  to  be 
true  that  he  participated  in  the  General  Walker — Nicarauga — 
campaign,  where  he  learned  something  of  the  art  of  war. 

After  this,  he  returned  to  Danvers,  Mass.,  where  he  earned 
considerable  prominence  as  a  good  mechanic,  a  public  spirited 
citizen  and  an  active  member  of  the  Danvers  Fire  Department, 
at  one  time,  being  chief  of  that  important  organization.  When 
the  bugle-blast  of  war  sounded,  Fuller  threw  up  the  fireman's 
trumpet  and  drew  the  sword  of  the  soldier.  He  was  head  and  front 
in  organizing  Company  "  C'  'of  Danvers.  The  Company  soon  became 
the  left  flank  Company  of  the  17th  Massachusetts  Volunteers  then 
being  organized  at  Lynnfield,  Mass.  The  Company  and  regiment 
were  mustered  into  the  service  July  22,  1861,  and  proceeded  to  the 
seat  of  war  August  23, 1861.  He  was  a  strict  disciplinarian,  a  persis 
tent  and  never-tiring  drill-master,  and  soon  had  Company  UC"  the 
equal  of  any  Company  in  the  service.  Captain  Fuller  served  with  this 
Company  and  regiment  in  their  many  campaigns  during  1861-2  and 
3,  but  in  July,  1863,  he  severed  his  connections  with  his  Company  and 
regiment,  and  became  Captain  of  Company  "B' '  2d  Massachusetts 
Heavy  Artillery  and  became  one  of  its  majors  on  October  2d,  1864. 
He  was  mustered  out  of  service  after  the  close  of  the  war,  September 
3d,  1865.  While  in  service  he  married  Maria  L.  Fuller,  daughter  of 
Joseph  J.and  Mary  A.  (Glass) Fuller.  There  were  born  from  this  union, 


88  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Idabelle  Glass,  July  22,  1866,  at  Danvers,  Mass. ;  Edward  Putnam, 
1869,  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  Charles  Henry,  1871,  at  Danvers,  Mass. 
and  Lucy  Putnam,  1875,  at  Jefferson  City,  Mo. 

Captain  Fuller  died  at  Danvers,  Mass.,  February  3d,  1881, 
among  his  sorrowing  family  and  neighbors. 


CAPTAIN  GEORGE  WILLIAM  KENNEY. 

George  William  Kenney  was  born  in  Danvers,  Mass.,  April 
12,  1830.  He  was  the  son  of  William  J.  C.  Kenney  and  Elizabeth 
Whittier  Kenney.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
town  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  then  went  to  Pembroke 
Academy.  From  there  he  went  to  Thetford  Academy,  Yt.,  where 
he  finished  his  education.  In  1858,  he  married  Gertrude  Stickney. 
There  were  born  to  Captain  Kenney  and  his  wife  two  children, 
Willis  Herbert  and  Gertrude  Stickney.  The  latter  died  in  child 
hood. 

Captain  Kenney  was  commissioned  captain  of  Company  G, 
1861.  He  went  to  the  front  with  his  company  and  regiment,  and 
shared  in  all  their  trials,  privations  and  triumphs  during  their 
many  campaigns.  He  was  severely  wounded  at  the  Battle  of 
Goldsboro,  December  17,  1862,  while  bravely  leading  his  com 
pany  in  the  fight.  He  was  confined  to  the  hospital  for  three 
months,  where  he  suffered  considerable  pain,  and  then  was  sent 
North  on  a  short  leave  of  absence.  After  a  brief  time  in  the 
North,  he  returned  to  his  regiment,  finished  out  his  term  of  three 
years,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Lynnfield  August  3,  1864.  Not 
satisfied  with  his  three  years '  service,  he  accepted  the  appointment 
of  captain  of  the  29th  unattached  company  of  Heavy  Artillery, 
and  was  stationed  at  Fort  Smith,  Arlington  Heights,  Virginia. 
He  was  mustered  out  of  service  June  16,  1865,  it  being  the  end  of 
the  war. 

During  Captain  Kenney 's  service  in  the  Seventeenth  Massa 
chusetts,  he  was  found  to  be  an  affable  gentleman,  kind  hearted  to 
both  officers  and  men,  and  was  the  idol  of  his  company.  He  was 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  89 

always  on  deck  and  never  missed  a  fight  or  a  march.  He  was  a 
handsome  man,  tall,  with  soldierly  bearing,  dignified,  but  always 
condescending  and  kindly.  He  was  well  known  throughout  the 
department — even  among  officers  of  the  highest  rank — for  his 
suavity  and  engaging  manners. 

After  the  war,  Captain  Kenney  became  a  salesman  for  many 
large  shoe  houses,  but  owing  to  advancing  age,  retired  from  this 
active  life  and  accepted  the  postmastership  of  Danvers,  under 
President  McKinley,  which  office  he  held  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  March  9,  1891.  His  wife  survived  him  ten 
years,  dying  in  1901.  It  is  worthy  of  mention  here  that  Mrs. 
Kenney  and  her  son,  Willis  H.,  were  as  near  to  Captain  Kenney  at 
times  during  the  war  as  it  was  safe  to  have  them.  Willis,  then  five 
years  old,  was  a  great  favorite  among  the  soldiers,  notably,  at 
Fort  Smith,  Virginia,  where  the  men  displayed  their  liking  for  the 
boy  by  purchasing  for  him  a  colonel's  uniform,  shoulder  straps  and 
sword,  and  they  used  to  parade  between  regular  drills,  and  be 
drilled  by  "  Colonel"  Willis  H.  Kenney.  He  was  so  much  a 
favorite  that  he  spent  more  time  at  headquarters  as  guest  of  the 
regular  army  colonel  in  command  of  the  post  than  he  did  with  his 
mother.  He  is  alive  today  and  shows  with  pride  his  eagled  shoulder- 
straps  and  colonel 's  sword  that  he  wore  when  only  five  years  old. 
The  little  colonel,  upon  reaching  man's  estate,  married  Alice  E. 
Tufts  and  two  sons  came  to  bless  their  union — Herbert  Tufts  and 
Philip  Burr. 

Willis  H.  Kenney  is  to-day  a  respected  and  prominent  citizen 
of  Danvers,  Mass.  Well  may  he  be  proud  of  his  brave  father,  and 
well  may  Danvers  be  proud  of  her  noble  son,  who  offered  his  life 
that  his  country  might  live — a  Union  greater  and  stronger  than 
ever. 


CAPTAIN  JOHN  K.  LLOYD. 

Captain  John  K.  Lloyd  was  born  in  Manchester,  England,  in 
the  year  1819.  He  was  soldierly  from  his  boyhood,  and  as  a 
youth  became  attached  to  one  of  the  English  militia  regiments. 


90  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

His  progress  in  the  art  of  soldiering  was  so  rapid  that  he  was  soon 
chosen,  among  other  picked  men,  to  become  a  member  of  the 
"Cold  Stream  Guards/'  the  crack  regiment  of  the  British  Empire. 
In  this  command  he  soon  proved  his  worth  as  a  soldier,  receiving 
frequent  promotions  among  the  non-commissioned  officers. 

After  long  service  in  the  famous  Cold  Stream  Guards,  Ser 
geant  Lloyd  emigrated  to  the  United  States.  He  settled  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  where  he  was  doing  a  successful  business  at  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Civil  War,  The  spirit  of  the  soldier  was  in  him  and  was 
bound  to  assert  itself.  Lloyd  could  no  longer  do  business  while 
his  adopted  country  needed  his  services,  and  he  at  once  set  about 
organizing  a  company  of  British  Volunteers,  known  afterwards 
as  Company  H  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer 
Infantry. 

The  men  of  the  company  were  a  sturdy  lot  of  Britains,  and 
were  a  credit  to  their  old  country  as  well  as  to  their  new  one. 
Captain  Lloyd  was  a  tall,  handsome  man,  soldierly  in  appearance 
and  conduct,  and  was  a  good  drill-master  and  a  strict  disciplin 
arian.  He  commanded  the  respect  of  the  officers  and  men  of  his 
regiment. 

At  the  battle  of  Batchelder's  Creek,  February  1,  1864,  the 
captain  with  other  officers  of  the  regiment,  was  taken  prisoner 
and  held  by  the  enemy  at  Richmond  until  just  before  the  fall  of 
that  city.  He  reached  Boston  about  the  middle  of  March,  1865, 
a  mere  shadow  of  his  former  self.  Captain  Lloyd  suffered  untold 
misery  and  privation  during  his  captivity,  and  was  so  impoverished 
physically  that  he  could  not  rally  from  his  weakness;  but  he  had 
the  satisfaction  of  seeing  his  wife  and  son  before  his  death.  He 
died  at  home  with  them  at  20  Pinckney  Street,  Boston,  Mass., 
March  30,  1865. 

Captain  Lloyd  married  Miss  Rebecca  Ellis  of  Shropshire, 
England.  She  resides  at  this  writing  (1910)  at  64  Revere  Street, 
Boston,  Mass.  Their  son,  born  in  Boston,  became  a  practicing 
physician  in  New  York  City,  where  he  died  in  1896. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  91 

CAPTAIN  THOMAS  ORMSBY  WEIR. 

Thomas  Ormsby  Weir  was  born  at  Lake  View,  Parish  of 
Guiva,  County  of  Sligo,  Ireland  in  November,  1827.  He  was  the 
son  of  Captain  William  Weir  and  Mary  Weir,  whose  maiden  name 
was  O'Neill.  Captain  Weir's  father  was  of  the  old  Norman 
stock,  while  his  mother  was  of  the  Irish-Celtic.  Captain  Weir 
married,  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  in  1848,  Catherine  Brown,  daughter 
of  John  and  Margaret  Brown,  who  were  emigrants  from  Weir's 
own  parish  and  county  in  Ireland. 

Captain  Weir  died  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  in  May,  1901. 
He  was  survived  by  his  wife  and  two  daughters,  Mrs.  Mary  Frances 
Swiney  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Kelly. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  Thomas  O.  Weir,  then  a 
resident  of  Lawrence,  Mass.,  animated  by  a  spirit  of  patriotism, 
organized  Company  I,  which  shortly  afterwards  became  part  of 
the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry  at  Lynnfield, 
Mass.  He  was  commissioned  and  mustered  as  captain  of  the 
company.  He  served  with  his  company  and  regiment  until  July 
2,  1862,  when  he  was  discharged  from  the  service.  He  was  a  brave 
and  aggressive  commander,  and  led  his  company  on  many  ex 
peditions  and  through  several  hot  skirmishes.  The  incident  which 
led  to  his  discharge  from  the  service  is  fully  related  in  its  place  in 
this  history.  All  the  officers  and  men  of  the  regiment  deplored  the 
loss  of  Captain  Weir  when  he  was  discharged  from  the  service. 


CAPTAIN  JOSEPH  R.  SIMONDS. 

Joseph  R.  Simonds  was  born  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  in  the 
year  1821.  He  received  his  early  education  in  his  native  town,  and 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  bookbinder,  and 
learned  the  trade.  He  followed  this  business,  and  in  time  became 
a  master  in  the  trade.  When  the  Civil  War  broke  out  he  was  in 
partnership  with  a  brother  in  Spring  Lane,  Boston. 

When  quite  a  young  man,  he  joined  the  militia  of  his  native 
state,  and  was  in  the  militia  when  the  war  opened.  On  April  30, 


92  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

1861,  he  joined  the  Maiden  Light  Infantry  Company  of  Maiden, 
of  which  he  was  afterwards  elected  captain.  This  company,  with 
Captain  Simonds  in  command,  joined  the  Seventeenth  Massa 
chusetts  Volunteer  Infantry  as  Company  K  of  that  regiment,  at 
Lynnfield,  Mass.,  July  10,  1861,  and  was  mustered  into  service 
with  the  regiment  July  22,  1861. 

Company  K  was  one  of  the  finest  companies  that  ever  left  the 
state  of  Massachusetts  for  the  Civil  War  or  any  other  war,  and 
Captain  Simonds  was  most  fortunate  in  having  command  of  such 
a  company.  He  was  an  ideal  captain  of  an  ideal  company.  Har 
mony,  and  mutual  respect  obtained  at  all  times  between  the  captain 
and  his  men. 

Captain  Simonds  was  a  brave,  patriotic  and  intelligent  officer, 
and  deserved  and  received  the  respect  of  the  officers  and  men  of 
his  regiment.  He  never  failed  in  his  duty,  and  his  services  deserve 
the  gratitude  of  his  state  and  the  nation. 

He  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Lynnfield,  Mass.,  August 
3,  1864  by  reason  of  expiration  of  service.  He  lived  in  Melrose, 
where  he  died  some  years  later.  He  had  no  children;  his  wife, 
who  survived  him,  has  since  died. 


CAPTAIN  ENOCH  F.  TOMPKINS. 

Enoch  Foote  Tompkins  was  born  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  Novem 
ber  4,  1830.  His  father  was  Christopher  Tompkins,  who  was  a 
classmate  of  John  G.  Whittier  at  the  Haverhill  Academy,  and  the 
captain's  grandfather1  was  Rev.  Isaac  Tompkins,  who  held  the 
degree  of  A.  M.  from  Brown  University,  and  who  became  pastor 
of  a  Congregational  church  in  the  East  Side  of  Haverhill,  Mass., 
more  than  one  hundred  years  ago.  This  grandfather  married 
Mary  Alden,  daughter  of  John  Alden,  of  Fair  Haven,  Mass.,  who 
was  a  lineal  descendent  of  John  Alden,  who  came  over  in  the  May 
flower — " Speak  for  yourself,  John/'' 

Captain  Tompkins  mother  was  Abbie  Foote,  daughter  of 
Enoch  and  Sarah  (George  ) Foote.  The  Footes  were  well-establish- 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  93 

ed  and  prominent  people  in  Newburyport,  while  the  Georges  were 
highly  respectable  people  and  belonged  in  Haverhill  and  vicinity. 

In  June,  1856,  Captain  Tompkins  married  Catherine  Hay  den 
Shurtleff,  during  whose  infancy  her  mother  died,  the  baby  then 
becoming  the  protege  of  the  Thurston  family,  hence  she  was  often 
known  as  Catherine  H.  Thurston.  Both  the  Thurston  and  Shurt 
leff  families  were  highly  respectable  people.  From  the  marriage 
of  Captain  Tompkins  and  Miss  Shurtleff  there  are  two  surviving 
children,  Miss  Abbie  Hayden  Tompkins  and  Charles  Chase 
Tompkins,  who  now  reside  in  Haverhill.  Captain  Tompkins, 
when  a  boy,  received  a  part  of  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Haverhill,  and  after  finishing  an  academic  course,  settled  down 
to  business  in  that  town.  He  had  not  enjoyed  many  years  at  his 
quiet  and  pleasant  business  before  it  became  apparent  that  war 
between  the  North  and  the  South  was  inevitable.  The  excitement 
caused  by  the  secession  from  the  Union  of  state  after  state  in  the 
South,  spread  to  every  city,  town  and  hamlet  of  the  country.  The 
people  of  the  North  became  profoundly  agitated,  and  fully  de 
termined  to  meet  force  with  force  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 
The  crisis  came,  the  people  of  the  South  appealing  to  arms  to  en 
force  their  demand  for  separation.  The  cry  at  the  North  was 
"To  Arms"  and  save  the  country  from  disintegration. 

With  the  blood  of  Revolutionary  sires  coursing  in  his  veins, 
what  less  could  young  Tompkins  do  than  rush  to  arms,  and  sus 
tain  the  record  of  his  heroic  and  honorable  ancestors?  It  was  in 
the  blood,  and  he  and  other  young  men  organized  Company  F, 
of  Haverhill — Luther  Day  becoming  captain,  Enoch  F.  Tompkins, 
first  lieutenant,  and  William  H.  Turner,  second  lieutenant. 

Company  F  was  composed  of  a  hundred  smart,  intelligent 
Haverhill  boys,  and  some  of  them  were  sons  of  the  best  families 
of  the  town.  Drill  was  the  order  of  the  day.  It  was  a  splendid 
company.  It  was  patronized  by  the  towns  people,  who  supplied 
the  every  want  of  the  boys.  When  the  company  reported  to 
Colonel  Dike  at  Lynnfield,  as  part  of  the  Seventeenth  Massa 
chusetts  Infantry,  on  July  10,  1861,  it  was  given  position  as  right 
flank  company,  thereby  making  it  and  its  officers  the  seniors  of 


94  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

the  regiment.     This  was  proof  of  its  perfect  organization  and 
complete  readiness  for  active  service. 

The  regiment  proceeded  to  the  front  on  the  23d  of  August, 
1861,  making  its  headquarters  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  for  a  few  months. 

Captain  Tompkins  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant  in  the 
Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  May  10,  1861.  His  promotion  to 
captain  was  recognized  by  all  as  a  fitting  reward  for  his  faithful 
and  intelligent  service  while  first  lieutenant.  He  served  with  his 
regiment  during  the  three  years'  service  of  the  command,  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Lynnfield,  August  3,  1864.  He  remained  at  home 
a  few  months  when,  fearing  that  he  had  not  rendered  all  the  ser 
vice  he  was  capable  of  to  his  country,  he  was  re-commissioned  in 
the  same  regiment  as  captain,  and  served  with  the  command  until 
the  final  muster  out  at  the  close  of  the  wrar,  July  14,  1865. 

Captain  Tompkins  was  on  every  march  and  in  every  fight  that 
his  company  and  regiment  participated  in.  He  was  brave  and 
cool  under  all  circumstances — a  strict  disciplinarian,  but  never 
cruel.  He  was  educated,  attractive  and  witty.  In  his  bouts  at 
witicism  he  unhorsed  many  a  friendly  opponent  with  his  laconic 
shafts  of  wit;  but  having  conquered,  with  a  peal  of  good-natured 
laughter,  he  would  restore  his  antagonist  to  good-fellowship  again. 
Referring  to  his  well-known  bravery,  the  writer  of  this  sketch 
remembers  distinctly  one  circumstance  which  showed  the  mettle 
of  the  man.  On  July  26,  1863,  the  regiment  having  landed  near 
Winton,  (otherwise  Mt.  Tabor),  and  was  marching  in  column 
along  the  road,  when  the  enemy,  secreted  behind  breastworks, 
opened  fire  on  the  regiment.  Colonel  Fellows  changed  formation 
from  column  to  line  and  advanced  upon  the  enemy.  This  for 
mation  brought  Captain  Tompkins  in  command  of  Company  B, 
on  the  road,  facing  the  line  of  works.  He  led  his  men  over  the 
works  as  cooly  and  smilingly  as  though  they  were  marching  to  a 
good  dinner. 

The  children  of  Captain  Tompkins  may  well  feel  proud  of  the 
record  of  their  gallant  sire,  and  the  city  of  Haverhill  of  her  heroic 
son,  and  no  disparagement  to  others  is  intended  when  it  is  said 
that  the  city  of  Haverhill  would  not  suffer  if  she  proclaimed 
Captain  Tompkins  the  peer  of  Major  Jack  Howe. 

Captain  Tompkins  died  February  6,  1901. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  95 

LIEUTENANT  THOMAS  W.  FOSTER. 

Thomas  W.  Foster  was  born  April  1,  1828,  at  Rowley,  Mass. 
His  father  was  Thomas  Foster  and  his  mother,  Mary  (Wells) 
Foster,  his  grandfather  being  Daniel  Foster  of  Rowley.  They 
were  all  of  the  old  English  stock.  Lieutenant  Foster  was  among 
the  first  to  shoulder  arms  in  Newburyport,  where  he  resided,  when 
the  Civil  War  broke  out  in  the  spring  of  1861.  He  helped  to 
organize  Company  A  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer 
Infantry,  known  at  its  enrollment  as  the  "City  Grays. "  He  was 
commissioned  and  mustered  as  first  lieutenant,  and  went  to  the 
front  with  his  company  and  regiment. 

Failing  health  forced  him  to  resign  January  8,  1862.  During 
his  short  term  of  service  he  showed  high  qualities  as  an  officer,  and 
it  may  be  said  with  truth  that  in  the  resignation  of  Lieutenant 
Foster  the  government  lost  a  good  and  patriotic  officer. 

The  officers  and  men  of  his  command  were  sorry  to  lose  the 
fellowship  of  so  estimable  a  gentleman.  He  married  Lydia  Mar 
garet  Perkins,  and  from  this  union  were  born  Thomas  W.  Foster, 
Jr.,  Charles  L.  Foster,  Mrs.  Margaret  Fogg,  wife  of  Hon.  Clarence 
J.  Fogg,  Mrs.  Sarah  Hidden,  Mrs.  Jessie  Morse  and  Mrs.  Grace 
Constantine. 


LIEUTENANT  RUEL  BENTON  PRAY. 

Ruel  Benton  Pray  of  Danvers  was  the  first  of  the  volunteers 
of  that  patriotic  town  to  enlist  for  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  He 
was  elected  second  lieutenant  of  company  C  of  Danvers,  of  the 
Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry,  but  was  after 
wards  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  and  transferred  to  Company  A 
of  that  regiment.  He  was  generally  known  as  Captain  Pray, 
having  attained  the  position  of  captain  in  the  merchant  service. 

Mr.  Pray  was  born  in  Salem,  April  18,  1836.  He  was  the  son 
of  Ruel  and  Mehitable  (Kender)  Pray.  He  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  in  1850,  made  a  voyage  around  the  world 
with  Capt.  Lewis  F.  Miller  of  Salem.  He  followed  the  sea  in  the 


96  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

merchant  service  for  ten  years,  serving  as  sailor,  mate  and  captain. 
He  made  one  whaling  voyage  and  one  cruise  in  the  U.  S.  S.  "  Cum 
berland/  '  which  was  stationed  off  the  west  coast  of  Africa.  Re 
turning  to  his  home  in  Danvers  just  before  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Civil  War,  he  attended  the  original  war  meeting  there,  and  was 
the  first  man  to  enlist .  This  wras  on  April  16,  1861. 

When  the  Danvers  company  was  incorporated  in  the  Seven 
teenth  Massachusetts  Regiment  as  Company  C,  Mr.  Pray  was 
commissioned  as  second  lieutenant.  After  serving  with  the  regi 
ment  for  one  year,  he  resigned  on  account  of  disability,  August 
9,  1862.  Recovering  his  health  after  a  time  in  the  more  bracing 
climate  of  his  native  state,  Mr.  Pray  went  into  the  United  States 
navy.  He  was  mustered  into  the  service  March  4,  1864,  as  acting 
master's  mate.  He  was  promoted  to  acting  ensign  April  30,  1864, 
reported  at  New  York,  arid  during  August  and  September  of 
that  year  was  in  the  Norfolk  Marine  Hospital  to  the  close  of  the 
war.  During  his  enlistment  he  served  on  the  U.  S.  S.  "Savanah,' ' 
" Algonquin, "  "Young  America/'  " Wilderness,"  "Chicopee," 
"Queen,"  and  "Sassacus." 

On  October  28,  1860,  he  married  Caroline  E.;  daughter  of 
William  and  Sally  Galloupe  of  Danvers,  two  children  being  born 
to  them— one  daughter,  Mrs.  James  F.  Eustis  of  Everett;  and  one 
son,  William  G.,  of  Marblehead,  both  of  whom,  with  his  wife 
survive  him.  He  died  in  Danvers,  after  a  long  and  painful  illness. 

Of  him  the  "Townsman"  has  said:  "He  was  a  noble,  whole- 
souled  man,  and  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him. 
His  social,  genial  manner  made  him  many  friends,  not  only  in  this 
town,  but  elsewiiere  where  he  was  known.  He  was  engaged  in 
the  cigar  business  in  Danvers  at  one  time,  and  made  his  home 
there,  coming  to  this  town  (Topsfield)  several  years  ago.*  *  *  * 
He  was  interested  in  the  public  schools,  and  addressed  them  at 
several  patriotic  gatherings,  representing  the  Grand  Army  in  an 
official  capacity  at  the  raising  of  the  new  flag  over  the  Centre 
school-house  a  year  ago  (1895).  He  was  a  member  of  Topsfield 
Grange,  No.  184,  P.  of  H.,  and  G.  A.  R.  Post  90  of  Danvers." 

Thus  closed  the  adventurous,  patriotic  and  useful  life  of  Ruel 
Benton  Pray,  sailor,  soldier  and  journalist. 


MAJOR  JOHN  E.  MULLALY. 


CAPT.  CHAS.  O.  FELLOWS. 


CAPT.  JOSEPH  A.  MOORE. 


CAPT.  MALCOLM  SILLARS. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  97 

LIEUTENANT  JAMES  MORONEY. 

James  Moroney  was  born  in  Miltown-Malley,  County  Clare, 
Ireland,  February  9,  1835.  He  was  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Bessie 
(Burns)  Moroney.  He  came  to  the  United  States  when  a  youth, 
and  after  a  short  residence  in  Massachusetts  he  settled  in  Haver- 
hill.  When  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  Mr.  Moroney,  being  full 
of  Irish  valor  and  American  patriotism,  joined  Company  E,  of 
Haverhill,  Captain  McNamara,  in  April,  1861,  and  helped  to 
organize  the  company.  He  drilled  regularly  with  the  command, 
and  helped  to  make  it  an  excellent  company. 

In  May,  1861,  the  company  was  ordered  to  Long  Island, 
Boston  Harbor,  and  was  attached  to  what  was  then  known  as  the 
14th  Regiment,  Colonel  Rice  commanding.  After  a  month  of 
active  drilling,  and  preparation  for  departure  for  the  seat  of  war, 
the  regiment  was  disbanded  and  many  of  its  members  were  drafted 
into  the  13th  Regiment  afterwards  the  Irish  9th.  Lieutenant 
Moroney 's  company  returned  in  a  body  to  Haverhill  and  disbanded. 

About  the  middle  of  June,  under  orders  from  Governor 
Andrew,  the  company  went  into  barracks  in  Haverhill,  and  resumed 
its  preparations  for  active  service.  Finally,  the  company  became 
part  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry  at  Lynnfield, 
July  10,  1861. 

Lieutenant  Moroney  was  commissioned  and  mustered  as 
second  lieutenant,  and  went  with  his  company  and  regiment  to  the 
seat  of  war.  He  participated  in  the  Eastern  shore  of  Virginia 
campaign,  where  he  saw  considerable  service.  He  was  promoted 
to  first  lieutenant  January  31,  1862.  He  next  served  in  Burnside's 
army  corps,  with  his  regiment,  in  North  Carolina. 

Lieutenant  Moroney  was  attached  to  Company  1,  Captain 
Weir,  and  during  the  spring  of  1862,  saw  a  great  deal  of  hard  work 
and  plenty  of  actual  fighting.  After  returning  North,  Lieutenant 
Moroney  married  Miss  Kate  J.  Culhane,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  (Hanrahan)  Culhane.  The  latter  were  old  County  Limerick 
stock,  whose  ancestors,  men  and  women,  helped  General  Sarsfield 
to  defend  their  city  against  the  troops  of  King  William. 


98  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

From  the  union  of  Lieutenant  Moroney  and  his  wife  there  was 
born  one  son,  James  Moroney,  who  married  Miss  Ida  M.  Kelly  of 
Detroit,  Michigan. 


LIEUTENANT  PHILIP  COOMBS  MASON. 

Philip  Coombs  Mason  was  born  in  the  old  seaport  town  of 
Newburyport,  Mass.,  March  5,  1834.  He  was  the  youngest  son 
of  William  S.  and  Abigail  (Jackman)  Mason,  there  being  two  older 
sons  and  a  daughter  in  the  family.  His  father  and  grandfather 
(William  Mason)  fought  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  his  grandfather 
was  captured  and  confined  in  Dartmoor  prison,  in  England,  as  a 
prisoner  of  war.  All  of  his  ancestry  were  of  the  typical  New  Eng 
land  stock.  The  coat-of-arms  in  the  possession  of  the  family  bears 
the  emblems  of  the  Scottish  and  English.  It  is  known  that  the 
Masons  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Newburyport.  Both 
grandfathers  of  Philip  were  seafaring  men,  and  William  S.  Mason, 
his  father,  wras  for  many  years  captain  of  the  trading  ship  "  Nikolai' ' 
of  Newburyport,  and  did  an  extensive  business  with  Russia  and 
other  foreign  countries.  Lieutenant  Mason  received  his  education 
in  the  Newburyport  schools.  After  leaving  high  school,  he  learned 
the  photograph  business  of  Mr.  John  McArthur. 

When  the  Civil  War  broke  out  he  was  one  of  the  first  volun 
teers  to  go  from  Newburyport  in  Company  A  of  the  Seventeenth 
Regiment.  By  faithful  and  meritorious  service  he  rose  from  first 
sergeant  in  the  old  company  to  second  and  first  lieutenant  which 
latter  promotion  came  to  him  on  July  8,  1863.  He  participated  in 
all  the  engagements  of  the  old  regiment  and  was  mustered  out  with 
it  in  1864. 

After  serving  his  time  in  the  war,  Lieutenant  Mason  took  up 
the  photograph  business  in  Newbern,  N.  C.,  where  he  remained 
until  a  serious  illness  compelled  him  to  return  North. 

In  1867,  he  married  Sarah  L.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  French  of 
Salisbury,  Mass.  .  She,  too,  came  of  old  New  England  parentage, 
whose  ancestors  came  to  this  country  in  1640.  Both  paternal  and 
maternal  grandfathers  distinguished  themselves  in  the  Revolution 
ary  War. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR.  99 

During  President  Grant's  administration,  Lieutenant  Mason 
was  appointed  United  States  Gauger  of  Internal  Revenue  under 
Mr.  Charles  C.  Dame,  collector  of  Newburyport.  He  remained 
in  the  service  twelve  years,  when,  through  change  of  administra 
tion,  he  lost  his  position.  After  a  lapse  of  twelve  years,  however, 
he  was  reinstated  in  his  old  position,  where  he  remained  until  No 
vember,  1903,  when  illness  compelled  him  to  give  it  up  in  order  to 
regain  his  health. 

Lieutenant  Mason  was  a  member  of  Post  49,  G.  A.  R.,  of  New 
buryport,  and  one  of  its  past  commanders,  but  he  has  resided  in 
Somerville  for  nearly  twenty-five  years. 

(A  brother  officer  of  the  Seventeenth  contributes  the  following 
more  full  account  of  Lieutenant  Mason's  war  service.) 

"At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  Lieutenant 
Mason  joined  the  company  known  as  the  'City  Grays/ 
and  after  having  helped  to  organize  and  drill  the  company  for  sev 
eral  weeks,  he  was  appointed  first  sergeant  of  it.  As  first  sergeant 
he  went  to  the  seat  of  war  in  Company  A  of  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry,  the  company  being  commanded 
by  Captain  David  F.  Brown  of  Newburyport  and  Captain  Henry 
Splaine  of  Haverhill. 

"He  was  promoted  second  lieutenant  September  25,  1862,  and 
first  lieutenant  July  8,  1863.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
enlistment,  he  was  mustered  out  of  service  August  3,  1864,  at  Lynn- 
field,  Mass.  During  his  three  years  of  service  he  never  lost  a  day 
on  account  of  sickness.  He  was  an  ideal  first  sergeant,  was  an  in 
trepid  and  gallant  lieutenant,  a  good  drill-master,  a  judicious  man 
ager,  and  never  neglected  to  look  after  the  interests  of  Company 
A  and  the  others  with  whom  it  was  his  privilege  to  serve.  He  was 
on  every  march,  and  in  every  fight  that  his  regiment  took  part  in 
during  his  term  of  service. 

"Many  first  sergeants,  it  may  be  said  were  not  as  fortunate  as 
Mason  for  with  him,  when  everything  else  failed,  an  appeal  to  the 
Hibernian  tent  was  invariably  successful.  No  matter  whether 
they  were  tired  or  hungry,  these  men  were  always  ready  to  help 
Sergeant  Mason  out  of  a  difficulty.  All  he  had  to  say  was,  'Boys, 
I  must  have  two  men  for  special  duty.  I  know  it  isn't  your  turn, 


100  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

but,  then,  what  am  I  going  to  do?'  At  that  announcement  all 
would  spring  to  their  feet  and  say;  'Sure,  Mr.  Mason,  we  will  do 
anything  in  the  world  for  you.'  These  conditions  and  doings, 
as  may  be  judged,  brought  about  a  feeling  of  mutual  regard  and 
respect  between  Mason  and  his  Hibernian  friends.  A  treaty  of 
reciprocity  was  established  between  them,  and  Mason  kept  his  end 
of  the  treaty  as  sacredly  as  the  others  did  theirs.  He  did  many 
acts  of  kindness  for  them,  saved  some  of  them  from  getting  into 
trouble,  and  when  it  did  happen  that  one  of  them  did  get  into 
trouble,  Mason  would  be  the  first  one  at  headquarters  to  make  a 
special  plea  in  his  behalf.  It  often  appeared  to  the  writer  that 
Mason,  like  the  Geraldines  of  old,  was  more  Irish  than  the  Hiber 
nians  themselves,  and  that  the  Hibernians  were  more  Yankee  than 
Phil  Mason  himself. 

"Many  of  the  officers  and  sergeants  joked  Mason  about  the 
happy  and  handy  relations  existing  between  him  and  his  Irish 
friends ;  but  at  that  early  stage  of  their  lives  they  evidently  had  not 
studied  environment  and  its  effect  upon  human  conduct. 

"The  friendship  thus  formed  between  Phil  and  his  comrades, 
it  may  be  added,  was  continued  into  the  private  life  of  both  succeed 
ing  their  war  service,  and  both  parties  never  tired  of  telling  of  in 
stances  illustrative  of  their  mutual  service  and  good  will.  So 
much  did  these  influences  attend  Phil  Mason  for  years  after  his 
army  service  that  one  day  be  became  father  of  a  beautiful  boy,  and, 
behold,  the  child  was  born  on  St.  Patrick's  day.  Served  him  right. 
So  much  for  environment  association."  Of  Lieutenant  Mason's 
three  children,  two  of  them  are  alive  at  this  writing,  and  are  most 
useful  and  respected  members  of  the  community:  Miss  Abbie 
Daniels  Mason  and  Mr.  Arthur  French  Mason. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  EZEKIEL  F.  MANN. 

First  Lieutenant  Ezekiel  F.  Mann  enlisted  at  Boston,  Mass., 
July,  1861,  becoming  one  of  the  British  Volunteers,  afterwards 
Company  H,  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry  Volunteers. 


MASSACHUSETTS  IN  THE  CIVIL- VAR.  101 

He  was  promoted  second  lieutenant,  November  3.  1862,  and  first 
lieutenant,  August  13,  1862.  He  was  severely  wounded  at  the 
Battle  of  Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  December  17,  1862.  The  severity 
of  his  wound  compelled  him  to  resign  August  16,  1863.  Lieutenant 
Mann  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  July  19,  1837,  and  at  the  age  of 
six  months  was  removed  with  his  parents  to  their  old  home  in 
Portsmouth,  N.  H.  Here  Master  Mann  went  through  the  various 
grades  in  the  public  schools,  thereby  securing  a  good  and  practical 
education. 

Lieutenant  Mann,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  like 
other  young  men,  stirred  by  the  excitement  of  the  times,  and 
believing  that  his  duty  was  to  help  preserve  the  integrity  of  his 
country,  man-fashion,  went  to  the  front. 

His  father  was  Joseph  Mann  of  old  Colonial  stock,  his  grand 
father  and  great-grandfather  having  fought  in  the  Revolutionary 
War.  His  mother,  Harriett  Fitzgerald,  was  of  the  Fernalds  of 
Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  whose  ancestors  also  participated  in  the  Revo 
lutionary  conflict.  These  Fernalds  were  the  original  owners,  by 
grant,  of  the  present  site  of  the  Portsmouth  Navy  Yard.  They 
ceded  it  to  the  United  States  Government  for  a  small  compensation 
to  accommodate  the  government. 

Lieutenant  Mann's  parents  died  when  he  was  but  a  mere 
child,  and  he  was  brought  up  and  educated  by  his  grandmother 
Fitzgerald.  His  wife  is  Martha  Cutter  Mann,  daughter  of  Captain 
Cutter  of  the  war  of  1812. 

Lieutenant  Mann  was  a  good  officer  and  a  brave  one,  and  when 
he  resigned  because  of  disability  brought  on  by  his  wound,  the 
officers  and  men  regretted  parting  with  so  good  a  man  and  officer. 


LIEUTENANT  HENRY  TAPPAN  MERRILL. 

Lieutenant  Merrill  was  born  in  Winthrop,  Maine,  April  12, 
1841.  He  was  the  son  of  James  Hooper  and  Mary  Bodge  Merrill. 
During  his  childhood,  the  family  moved  to  Norway,  Maine.  From 
Norway,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  was  put  to  work  among  mer- 


10$  THE  ^EIVE-NTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

chants  in  the  city  of  Portland,  but  after  a  short  stay  in  Portland, 
the  young  man,  with  his  family,  moved  to  Haverhill,  Mass.,  where 
they  resided  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War.  When  the  ex 
citement  attending  the  secession  of  many  southern  states  from  the 
Union,  and  the  armed  revolt  of  those  states  spread  over  the  country 
during  the  spring  of  1861,  young  Merrill  was  among  the  first  to 
enroll  himself  as  a  volunteer,  and  joined  Company  F,  of  Haver- 
hill.  Soon  afterwards  the  company  became  part  of  the  Seven 
teenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  and  camped  at  Lynnfield,  Mass. 
Before  leaving  for  the  seat  of  war,  he  was  made4  the  commissary- 
sergeant  of  the  regiment. 

The  intelligent  discharge  of  his  duties  and  his  gentlemanly 
deportment  soon  brought  him  further  promotion,  for  on  July  3, 
1862,  he  was  made  second  lieutenant  in  his  regiment.  Unfor 
tunately,  the  malarial  climate  of  North  Carolina  was  too  much  for 
him.  He  broke  down  in  health  and  found  himself  compelled  to 
resign  May  11,  1863.  The  army  surgeons  told  him  that  he  must 
resign  if  he  wished  to  save  his  life.  It  pained  him  to  leave  his 
regiment,  associates  in  the  service,  and  particularly  was  he  pained 
to  leave  the  service  of  his  country's  Flag  for  which  he  was  willing 
to  die. 

In  July,  1865,  he  married  Caroline  A.  Evans.  Three  children 
came  to  them,  Gertrude,  Susan  E.,  and  Mary  T.,  the  last  two 
surviving  their  father,  who  died  at  the  home  of  his  parents  in 
Norway,  Maine,  March  30, 1883.  He  was  a  talented  musician  and 
was  chorister  and  teacher  in  many  churches,  especially  the  church 
in  Dover,  N.  H.  He  was  a  home  man,  a  good  husband,  a  good 
father,  a  respectable  and  gentlemanly  man,  and  above  all,  he  was 
a  truly  patriotic  American  citizen. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


DEPARTURE  FOR  SEAT  OF  WAR — ARRIVAL  IN  BALTIMORE — COOL 
RECEPTION — EXPEDITION  TO  EASTERN  SHORE  OF  VIRGINIA — 
HE  STOLE  His  OWN  GOOSE — TOPSEY — CHERYSTONE  OYS 
TERS — 'RETURN  TO  BALTIMORE — "RECOLLECTIONS  OF  THE 
WAR,"  BY  RUEL  B.  PRAY. 

The  Seventeenth  Regiment,  under  command  of  Lieut-Colonel 
Fellows,  left  Camp  Schouler,  Lynnfield,  in  the  late  afternoon  of 
August  23,  1861,  after  farewells  of  relations  and  friends,  and  pro 
ceeded  by  rail  to  Boston,  where  it  marched  by  the  flank  to  the  State 
House,  and  received  its  stand  of  colors  from  General  Bullock,  who, 
owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  was  deputed  by  Governor  Andrew 
to  act  in  his  stead.  Then  it  took  up  the  line  of  march  to  the  Bos 
ton  &  Albany  Railroad  Station,  where  the  cars  were  again  taken, 
and  the  journey  to  "the  front"  was  resumed  at  10  p.  M.,  among 
encouraging  cheers  from  the  few  friends  assembled  to  see  them  off. 

It  was  slow  coaching  in  those  days,  for  the  regiment  did  not 
arrive  in  New  York  City  until  about  eight  or  nine  o'clock  the  next 
morning.  At  New  York,  the  men  were  marched  to  City  Hall 
Park,  where  they  were  halted  for  a  short  time.  Little  notice  was 
taken  of  these  men  in  the  big  city — a  devoted  band  of  patriots 
going  forward  to  peril  their  lives  to  preserve  the  integrity  of  their 
country.  Indeed,  in  the  multitudes  that  thronged  the  streets, 
as  was  afterwards  proved  in  the  draft  riots,  there  were,  no  doubt, 
thousands  opposed  to  the  war,  and  even  in  sympathy  with  the  re 
bellion. 

After  partaking  of  some  refreshments,  the  regiment  resumed 
its  march,  going  to  the  landing  of  the  ferry  at  Courtland  Street, 
where  it  crossed  to  Jersey  City,  and  took  cars  for  Philadelphia 

(103) 


104  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

over  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad.  But  even  on  this  road  the  trans 
portation  was  very  sluggish,  and  it  was  not  until  about  six  o'clock 
the  following  morning  that  it  arrived  there.  But  what  a  contrast 
it  was  to  the  way  the  regiment  was  treated  in  New  York,  when  it 
inarched  to  the  old  Cooper's  Shop,  so-called,  and  were  treated  to  a 
royal  welcome  and  a  splendid  repast  by  the  loyal  people  of  the 
Quaker  City.  They  were  again  among  warm-hearted  friends,  and 
whatever  might  betide,  the  men  of  the  Seventeenth  will  always 
retain  in  their  hearts  a  grateful  remembrance  of  Philadelphia. 

We  got  a  little  refreshment  here  before  we  again  marched  to 
the  North  River  Landing  to  cross  to  Jersey  City.  Here  we  left 
the  ferry  boat  and  took  the  cars  awaiting  us  for  Philadelphia,  over 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad.  We  arrived  in  Philadelphia  the  next 
morning  tired  and  dusty,  for  we  had  been  in  heavy  marching  order 
for  about  thirty-six  hours.  Here  we  left  the  cars  and  marched  to 
the  famous  Cooper's  Shop,  where  we  struck  it  rich. 

No  cheer  ever  awaited  soldiers  that  was  more  appreciated 
than  that  of  the  noble-hearted  Quakers  of  Philadelphia.  Lava 
tories  and  clean  towels,  hot  coffee  and  delicious  rolls,  meats  -in 
fact,  a  magnificent  breakfast  was  given  us.  Much  has  been 
written  in  glowing  terms  of  the  city  of  brotherly  love.  Those 
only  who  were  there  and  partook  of  the  great  hospitality  of  Phil 
adelphia  during  the  march  of  the  Union  soldiers  to  the  front,  can 
paint  the  picture  as  it  deserves. 

The  ladies  were  more  than  kind  as  they  graciously  looked  out 
for  the  comfort  of  every  man  in  the  Cooper's  Shop,  and  men  never 
left  it  more  refreshed  than  the  soldiers  whose  good  fortune  led 
them  through  Philadelphia  on  their  way  to  the  front.  Night  or 
day  this  good  work  never  stopped.  No  hungry  soldier  ever  left 
Philadelphia.  Thousands  upon  thousands  were  fed  and  refreshed 
during  the  long  years  of  the  struggle. 

After  a  good  and  hearty  breakfast,  the  regiment  again  took  the 
cars,  at  9  A.  M.,  and  at  4  p.  M.,  arrived  in  Baltimore.  Here  the  men 
of  the  regiment  realized  that  they  were  in  an  unfriendly  environ 
ment,  in  striking  contrast  with  the  community  which  they  had 
left  five  hours  before.  Sour  and  unfriendly  faces  were  seen  on 
every  hand,  and  they  realized  that  they  were  among  people  who  had 


LIEUT.  RKUL  B.  PRAY 


DEPARTURE  FOR  THE  SEAT  OF  WAR.  105 

attacked  and  murdered  their  comrades  some  few  months  before. 
But  this  did  not  make  them  unhappy,  as  they  felt  they  would  soon 
be  further  south  where  the  rebels  were  in  arms  in  the  field. 

The  regiment  was  marched  about  a  mile  outside  the  city,  and 
camped  without  tents.  The  following  day,  August  26th,  when  it 
was  expected  the  regiment  would  take  cars  and  proceed  to  Washing 
ton',  and  thence  to  the  front,  it  was  ordered  to  pitch  tents  at  Stew 
art's  Grove,  where  Nim's  Battery  was  already  located,  the  place 
being  named  Camp  Andrew,  after  our  Massachusetts  war  governor. 
Here  the  regiment  learned  that  they  were  halted  to  do  duty,  for  a 
time,  at  least,  for  no  one  knew  when  orders  from  the  War  Depart 
ment  would  cause  them  to  strike  tents  and  start  for  the  scene  of 
hostilities.  As  it  was  they  were  not  allowed  much  rest  or  idle 
time.  Companies  were  dispatched  on  special  duty  to  different 
points  in  and  around  Baltimore,  to  guard  powder  magazines  and 
stores  of  war  material,  having  to  sleep  on  arms,  to  be  turned  out 
at  all  hours  of  the  night,  to  be  reviewed  and  inspected  by  general 
officers. 

This  round  of  duty  was  varied  by  street  drills  and  other  de 
monstrations  calculated  to  impress  the  disloyal  element  of  Balti 
more  that  any  hostile  demonstration  on  their  part  would  be  sternly 
repressed  and  punished  by  the  Lincoln  soldiers  from  Massachu 
setts.  It  was  the  "ounce  of  prevention"  which  had  a  most  salu 
tary  effect.  Those  who  had  been  ready  to  give  expression  to  their 
feelings  in  words  of  scorn  and  insult  (notably  the  women)  soon 
ceased  to  make  themselves  obnoxious.  The  soldiers  were  orderly 
and  well-behaved,  and,  according  to  orders,  did  not  resent  such 
abuse,  but  did  their  duty  faithfully.  This  disarmed  their  enemies 
to  a  great  extent,  and  made  them  more  tolerant. 

And  yet  this  round  of  duty  on  the  part  of  the  men,  which  was 
performed  with  cheerfulness  and  urbanity,  was  rendered  under  the 
most  unfavorable  conditions.  The  men  had  to  sleep  on  the  ground, 
or  on  pieces  of  boards  picked  up  anywhere,  and  it  was  not  until  the 
first  week  of  October  that  they  were  furnished  with  straw  for 
bedding.  This  was  indeed  a  luxury  that  all  appreciated. 


106  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

BALTIMORE,  MD. 


SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT 

Up  to  October  13,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Fellows  was  in  com 
mand  of  the  regiment,  but  on  that  day  Col.  Thomas  I.  C.  Amory 
assumed  command. 

Early  in  November  it  was  found  that  the  rebels  were  likely  to 
become  aggressive  in  the  Maryland  peninsula  known  as  the  Eastern 
Shore  of  Virginia,  and  an  expedition  from  Baltimore  was  planned 
to  go  to  that  place,  attack  the  armed  bands  there  and  destroy  their 
works.  This  expedition  was  composed  of  the  following  military 
organizations:  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  Second  Massachusetts 
Light  Nims'  Battery,  Fifth  New  York  Zouaves,  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry,  Sixth  Michigan  Volunteer 
Infantry,  Second  Delaware  Volunteer  Infantry,  Fourth  Wisconsin 
Volunteer  Infantry,  Maryland  Purnell  Legion. 

This  expedition,  consisting  of  some  several  thousand  men,— 
infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery — sailed  from  Baltimore  on  Novem 
ber  15,  1861,  under  the  command  of  Brigadier-General  Lockwood, 
six  companies  of  the  Seventeenth  accompanying  it,  wrho  were  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Amory.  These  six  companies  were,  C, 
E,  F,  G,  H  and  K.  The  other  four,  A,  B,  D  and  I  remained  in 
Baltimore  under  command  of  Major  Jones  Frankle.  The  expedi 
tion  landed  at  Newtown,  Md.,on  the  Pokomoke  River,  where  it 
arrived  about  noon  on  the  following  day,  and  w^ent  into  camp. 
All  kinds  of  rumors  in  regard  to  the  enemy  wrere  in  circulation— 
that  they  were  in  force  about  five  miles  distant,  etc.,  and  expecta 
tions  of  active  hostilities  were  indulged  in.  But  the  only  sanguin 
ary  occurrences  for  the  next  two  or  three  days  consisted  in  the  cap 
ture  and  slaughter  of  southern  geese  and  other  fowls,  the  members 
of  the  Seventeenth,  of  course,  being  more  or  less  concerned  in  these 
hostilities,  though  they  were  not  alone  the  aggressors,  as  others  who 
came  under  the  eye  of  General  Lockwood  were  arrested  and  sent 
back  to  Baltimore,  receiving  severe  punishment  for  such  infringe 
ment  of  the  army  rules. 


DEPARTURE  FOR  THE  SEAT  OF  WAR.  107 

STOLE  HIS  OWN  GOOSE. 

Army  life  is  often  rendered  tolerable  and  even  agreeable  by 
the  occurrence  of  incidents  which  have  the  flavor  of  humor  and 
even  comicality  to  make  them  memorable.  The  soldiers  in  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion  were  mostly  young  men,  and  were  blessed 
with  an  appetite  which,  when  on  the  march  and  loaded  with  heavy 
equipment,  the  army  rations  of  "hard  tack"  and  indigestible 
"salt  horse"  did  not  always  satisfy,  and  when  a  halt  was  made 
more  or  less  "  foraging"  was  indulged  in,  for  variety  of  food  in  the 
army,  as  well  as  in  civil  life,  was  the  "  spice  of  life"  and  of  gas 
tronomy.  What  wonder,  then,  that  the  marchers  with  ravenous 
appetites  sought  gratification  in  the  pursuit  of  poultry,  sweet 
potatoes  and  other  "varieties,"  even  though  foraging  was  for 
bidden  by  the  officers,  to  whom  it  was  a  source  of  constant  trouble. 

The  following  story  has  some  really  comical  features,  and  is 
well  worth  incorporating  into  this  narrative,  as  it  presents  one 
of  the  humorous  phases  of  army  experience.  The  expedition 
under  General  Lockwood  to  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia  had 
landed  on  November  17,  1801,  and  had  camped  over  night  at  a 
place  called  New  Town,  on  the  Maryland  portion  of  the  peninsula. 
Here  is  the  story: 

"November  18,  1861. — In  camp  at  New  Town.  In  the 
forenoon  a  large  part  of  Company  "H"  started  out  on  a  private 
foraging  expedition,  and  returned  later  with  a  lot  of  geese.  To 
reach  the  company  quarters  they  were  obliged  to  pass  where  they 
could  be  seen  from  regimental  headquarters.  As  they  were  re 
turning  in  single  file,  each  with  a  white  goose  under  his  arm,  and 
some  with  an  additional  one  over  the  shoulder,  Colonel  Amory's 
attention  was  called  to  this  breach  of  discipline,  and  he  was  ob 
liged  to  investigate.  When  the  men  with  the  geese  arrived  at 
their  tents,  there  was  a  great  emptying  of  knapsacks,  and  most  of 
the  geese  were  transferred  to  where  the  clothing  had  been.  Some 
of  the  birds  were  hidden  under  blankets,  in  knapsacks  and  in  any 
place  that  offered  a  chance  for  concealment.  During  this  opera 
tion  many  of  the  tent  doors  had  been  tied  up,  and  when  the  colonel 
arrived  in  the  company  street,  it  took  some  time  before  all  the 


108  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

tents  could  be  examined.  The  knots  in  some  cases  appeared  quite 
hard  to  untie.  In  one  tent,  while  the  colonel  was  waiting,  one  of 
the  men  crawled  out  under  the  canvas  at  the  back,  and  four  geese 
were  passed  out  to  him  before  the  colonel  could  enter.  The  re 
sult  of  the  search  was  that  Colonel  Amory  secured  eight  geese  out 
of  about  forty  that  were  brought  into  the  company  tents. 

The  men  who  were  absent  without  leave  were  now  ordered  to 
do  guard  duty  with  knapsacks  and  in  heavy  marching  order.  At 
this  time  the  guard  duty  was  being  done  by  each  company  in  turn, 
instead  of  the  usual  custom  later  of  detail  from  the  several  com 
panies.  This  day  being  Company  "  II V '  turn,  the  duty  had  been 
performed  by  the  members  of  the  company  who  had  remained  in 
camp.  The  men  who  had  each  succeeded  in  "  saving  his  goose" 
went  on  duty,  patrolled  their  beats,  some  of  them  with  a  goose  in 
his  knapsack  during  the  whole  tour  of  duty.  The  man  who  wras 
on  duty  at  headquarters  can  be  imagined  patrolling  his  beat  with 
the  contraband  article  in  his  knapsack  and  fearing  that  at  any 
moment  it  would  be  discovered. 

The  captured  fowls  were  sold  by  auction  to  the  officers  and  the 
proceeds  paid  over  to  the  owner,  who  afterwards  appeared  and 
made  claim  for  his  property. 

Captain  Lloyd,  being  the  purchaser  of  one  of  the  geese — a 
fine,  large  bird — had  it  sent  to  his  cook,  with  orders  to  have  it 
prepared  for  use  the  next  day.  Now,  George  Woodcock,  the  cap 
tain's  cook,  liked  to  have  a  quiet  game  of  cards  occasionally,  and 
after  dressing  and  putting  the  goose  to  cook  in  a  camp  kettle  over 
his  private  fire — it  being  after  dark  by  this  time — thought  it  a 
good  chance  to  go  to  one  of  the  tents  and  have  a  game  of  cards 
with  the  boys.  Captain  Lloyd,  being  officer  of  the  day,  made  a 
tour  through  the  camp  and  saw  the  fire  and  the  goose  cooking 
in  the  camp  kettle.  Soon  after  he  went  to  a  tent  where  several 
of  the  officers  were  passing  the  time  together,  and  informed  them 
of  his  discovery,  and  also  that  the  bird  was  nearly  done.  As  it 
was  being  cooked  after  hours,  he  suggested  it  would  be  the  proper 
thing  to  confiscate  it  for  "the  mess.' '  This  proposition  was  unani 
mously  agreed  to,  and  after  waiting  till  the  bird  was  ready  (George, 


DEPARTURE  FOR  THE  SEAT  OF  WAR.  109 

in  the  meantime,  being  engaged  in  the  game  of  cards),  it  was  con 
fiscated  and  heartily  enjoyed  by  "the  mess." 

The  next  day,  at  noon  halt,  when  George  appeared  with  some 
"hard  tack  and  salt  horse/7  the  captain  inquired  for  his  goose,  and 
asked  why  George  had  not  brought  it  instead  of  the  other  "grub.' ' 
George 's  reply  was  that  he  had  gone  away  from  the  fire  for  a  little 
while,  and  that  some  "  blankety-blank  sucker"  had  stolen  it, 
and  he  only  wished  he  knew  who  it  was. 

Those  who  had  helped  the  captain  eat  his  goose  the  night 
before  soon  heard  of  the  loss,  and  it  required  considerable  "com 
missary'  '  for  the  captain  to  set  matters  right  with  them. 

It  was  at  this  place  that  General  Lockwood  made  himself 
particularly  unpopular  with  the  troops,  by  ordering  some  members 
of  the  brigade,  who  had  been  detected  in  foraging,  to  be  sent  back 
in  irons  to  Fort  McHenry. 

On  November  19,  the  expedition  started  on  its  raid  into  Vir 
ginia,  crossing  the  State  line,  the  companies  of  the  Seventeenth 
being  in  the  advance.  On  this  march  earthworks  and  barricades 
were  encountered,  and  two  rebel  cannons  were  captured.  The 
men  marched  sixteen  miles  on  this  day,  and  rejoined  the  brigade 
at  Oak  Hall,  Va.  On  the  21st,  a  march  of  twenty-seven  miles 
was  made,  the  expedition  reaching  Drummondstown,  Va.  On 
the  way  a  battery  of  sixteen  guns  was  passed,  and  several  prisoners 
captured,  but  there  was  no  fighting.  The  next  day  two  gun-car 
riages  were  captured,  but  no  guns,  the  rebels  having  either  moved 
them  to  the  main  land  or  buried  them. 

During  the  ten  days  following  its  departure  from  New  Town 
the  expedition  marched  about  ninety  miles  without  encountering 
any  opposition,  and  arrived  at  Cherystone  Landing  cold  and 
hungry,  severe  weather  having  set  in.  The  famous  Cherystone 
oysters,  however,  served  to  allay  hunger  to  some  extent,  and  were 
devoured  in  liberal  quantities.  The  return  to  Baltimore  was 
attended  with  more  or  less  hardship  to  the  boys  of  the  Seventeenth. 
A  steamer  of  200  tons  was  employed  to  carry  the  six  companies  of 
the  regiment.  The  vessel  had  gone  only  a  few  miles  on  her  return 
trip  when  a  storm  arose,  and  she  was  forced  to  return.  From  the 
time  of  embarkation,  on  December  2,  the  men  had  to  bear  the 


110  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

discomforts  of  that  steamer,  including  the  lack  of  water.  They 
were,  however,  young  and  optimistic,  and  took  these  experiences 
as  they  did  other  hardships  of  soldiering  as  being  part  of  the  pro 
gram  of  army  life,  and  simpty  joked  one  another  about  it,  with 
such  remarks  as  "  Why  did  you  go  for  a  sojer?' '  etc. 

The  result  of  this  expedition  was  that  whatever  rebels  there 
were  in  that  section  of  Virginia  either  became  peaceful  citizens  or 
joined  their  brethren  across  the  bay  in  old  Virginia. 

After  the  arrival  at  Baltimore,  the  men  of  the  Seventeenth 
found  comfort  in  a  return  to  their  straw  beds,  as  well  as  new  uni 
forms  and  two  months'  pay. 


TOPSEY. 

Topsey  was  short  on  the  names  of  men,  as  the  following 
anecdote  will  show.  During  General  Lockwood's  campaign 
through  the  eastern  shore  of  Virginia  and  Maryland  in  November 
1861,  chasing  the  command  of  the  Confederate  General  Wise 
the  17th,  Massachusetts  Volunteers  with  other  regiments  of  the 
Union  command  halted  at  a  rich  plantation  for  the  purpose  of 
resting  and  securing  fresh  water.  The  rest  lasted  half  an  hour  or 
more.  The  master  of  the  estate  was  not  in  evidence,  neither  were 
his  two  sons,  the  latter  probably  being  in  the  Confederate  Army. 

The  presence  of  five  thousand  Union  soldiers  was  a  surprise 
and  a  source  of  instant  attraction  to  the  hundred  or  more  slaves 
of  the  place,  who  poured  out  to  look  at  the  Yankees.  The  darkies, 
in  order  to  obtain  a  good  view  of  the  army,  clambered  to  the 
roofs  of  the  sheds,  the  shacks,  and  some  of  them  even  up  into  the 
trees,  perched  on  the  limbs  like  so  many  crows.  One  Topsey  took 
to  the  upper  rail  of  a  Virginia  rail-fence,  looking  wonderingly  at 
the  army.  A  lieutenant  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts 
was  resting  against  the  same  fence,  some  forty  feet  from  the  girl, 
and  at  once  became  interested  in  her  girations  and  spasmodic 
movement  towards  him. 


DEPARTURE  FOR  THE  SEAT  OF  WAR.  Ill 

She  appeared  to  be  about  seventeen  years  old,  well  developed, 
bright  looking,  with  bright  snappy  eyes  and  a  mouthful  of  hand 
some  teeth  as  white  as  ivory.  She  wanted  information  and  seemed 
determined  on  getting  it.  Seeing  the  lieutenant,  she  moved 
towards  him,  conforming  to  the  zigzag  shape  of  the  fence,  and 
finally  reaching  him,  she  placed  her  hand  on  his  shoulder,  and 
with  eyes  snapping  and  mouth  open  exclaimed,  "Massa!  Massa! 
has  all  you  uns  got  naims?' '  Poor  Topsey,  during  her  seventeen 
short  years  of  existence  had  probably  heard  such  names  as  Tom, 
Jack,  Bill,  Joe,  Jim,  Ned,  Pomp  and  maybe  Charley. 

But  she  could  not  understand  how  five  thousand  men  could 
each  have  a  name  of  his  own,  or  so  named  as  to  be  readily  dis 
tinguishable  from  all  the  others.  Poor  Topsey,  poor  slaves  of  the 
South  at  that  period;  how  innocent,  how  obedient,  how  respectful, 
and  under  all  the  circumstances  how  self  respecting. 

The  program  now  was  to  provide  more  comfortable  quarters 
as  the  stay  of  the  regiment  in  Baltimore  for  the  winter  seemed  to 
have  been  decided  upon  by  the  War  Department.  By  December 
18,  lumber  having  arrived,  work  on  a  new  barracks  was  begun,  and 
in  twelve  days  after  the  various  companies  of  the  regiment  were 
more  comfortably  housed  than  they  could  be  in  shelter  tents. 

During  the  winter  months  following,  the  Seventeenth  Regi 
ment  was  engaged  in  a  variety  of  duties,  its  companies  being  de 
tached  for  guard  duty  at  various  points  in  and  around  the  city, 
always  discharging  such  duties  faithfully  and  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  military  authorities.  Its  members  also  grew  in  favor  with 
the  people  of  Baltimore — the  loyal  people,  especially,  for  there 
were  many  of  them  in  that  city. 

The  Northern  people  had  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  conditions  ex 
isting  in  the  border  towns  and  cities  of  the  Middle  States,  in  regard 
to  the  loyalty  and  disloyalty  of  their  people.  The  feeling  was 
intense  on  both  sides,  and  men  were  not  only  outspoken  where  they 
dared  to  be  — especially  when  under  protection  of  loyal  troops — 
but  w^ere  prepared  to  suffer  the  consequences  of  their  temerity  if 
the  fortune  of  war  turned  the  scale  against  them.  Baltimore 


112  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

loyalists  were  no  exception  to  this  rule,  and  the  loyal  men  there 
were  free  to  back  their  convictions  by  acts  of  friendship  and  good 
will  towards  the  men  in  blue. 

The  friendly  feeling  between  the  people  of  Baltimore  and  the 
men  of  the  Seventeenth  had  grown  to  such  an  extent,  that  the 
officers,  to  mark  their  recognition  of  it,  and  partly  to  break  the 
monotony  of  camp  life  in  winter,  gave  a  military  ball  to  their 
friends  of  the  city  and  comrades  of  other  commands.  It  was  a  most 
successful  affair,  and  was  attended  by  many  ladies  of  the  city. 

On  March  8,  when  news  of  the  encounter  with  the  rebel  iron 
clad,  " Virginia/'  (formerly  U.  S.  warship  "Merrimac")  and  the 
sinking  of  the  frigate  "Congress"  and  " Cumberland' ;,  and  two 
sloops  of  war  was  received,  there  was  a  scare  in  Baltimore,  as  it  was 
feared  the  "  Virginia' '  might  steam  up  to  that  city  and  lay  it  under 
contribution  or  destroy  it.  Colonel  Amory  was  ordered  to  take 
the  regiment  to  Patterson's  Park  to  aid  in  the  defence  of  the  city 
in  case  of  emergency,  but  the  result  of  the  fight  with  the  "  Ericsson 
Monitor' '  a  day  or  two  later  relieved  the  apprehension  of  the 
authorities  in  this  respect. 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  THE  WAR. 


BY  LIEUT.  RUEL  B.  PRAY. 

(In  1895,  Lieutenant  Ruel  B.  Pray,  then  a  resident  of  Tops- 
field,  Mass.,  but  connected  with  newspaper  publications  in  Essex 
County,  contributed  a  series  of  "Recollections  of  the  War"  to  the 
"Topsfield  Townsman,"  which  are  very  readable  arid  interesting 
because  they  are  the  result  of  personal  observation  and  experience 
as  an  officer  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry. 
Lieutenant  Pray  had  also  served  in  the  merchant  marine  and  in  the 
navy  of  the  United  States,  and  was  as  keen  an  observer  as  he  was  a 


CAPT.  X.  P.  FULLER. 


CAPT.  ENOCH  F.  TOMP 


CAPT.  GEORGE  W.  KKNXEY, 


ADJT.  HEXRY  A.  CHEEVER. 


DEPARTURE  FOR  THE  SEAT  OF  WAR.  113 

ready  writer.  As  the  war  recollections  can  only  properly  be  in 
cluded  in  this  memorial  history  of  the  regiment  (he  had  written 
also  of  service  in  the  army),  extracts  only  can  be  given,  owing  to 
the  great  amount  of  material  on  hand,  and  much  to  the  regret 
of  the  compiler). 


"Can  it  be  possible  that  time  flies  so  swiftly,  that  thirty-four 
years  seem  but  yesterday?  Nevertheless,  it  is  true.  What  events 
have  grown  yellow  in  history  since  those  memorable  days?  Those 
stirring  times  come  back  to  us  with  freshness.  We  can  almost 
hear  the  familiar  sound  of  the  rattle  of  the  trappings  of  war,  the 
voices  of  our  early  comrades  long  silent  in  death.  Those  were  the 
times  when  we  were  in  the  vigor  of  early  manhood,  before  the 
frosts  of  winter  had  touched  our  hair.  In  camp  at  West  Gloucester 
the  Danvers  Light  Infantry  saw  the  first  experience  of  a  soldier's 
life,  roughing  it .  Most  of  the  members  of  the  company  were  young, 
unmarried  men,  with  little  or  no  care  for  their  individual  wants. 
The  State  and  government  had  nothing  to  do  with  us  at  that  time, 
it  being  previous  to  muster  into  service.  With  a  strong  hope  of 
early  mustering,  and  also  to  keep  the  men  together,  and  hold  our 
organization,  we  had  pitched  our  tents,  borrowed  ones,  loaned  us 
by  the  Methodist  Society  of  Topsfield,  on  a  high  elevation  of  land 
back  of  the  Currier  farmhouse.  The  land  was  pasture  land. 
Save  the  tent  we  had  no  shade  to  shelter  us,  for  there  were  no  shade 
trees  to  rest  under  to  break  the  rays  of  the  noonday  sun.  No  regu 
lar  rations  were  issued  to  us  like  the  late  Coxey  tramps.  All  that 
fell  into  our  nets  were  our  fish. 

The  good  people  of  Danvers  gave  large  quantities  of  cooked 
provisions,  as  well  as  vegetables.  Sergeant  Inman  was  com 
missioned  to  collect  these  offerings  to  feed  the  company.  I  have 
often  thought  that  many  of  the  good  friends  of  the  boys  sometimes 
went  short  themselves  to  send  food  to  this  company.  The  prox 
imity  to  the  seashore  was  the  large  factor  in  locating  this  camp  at 
West  Gloucester ,Avhere  we  all  could  fall  back  upon  clams  and  shell  fish 
that  were  found  on  the  coast.  The  clams  were  abundant,  and  good 
food  to  get  up  the  grit  that  was  to  come  later  to  the  boys.  Here 


114  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

we  lived  and  drilled  the  men  many  weeks,  doing  the  tour  of  guard 
and  military  duty  as  regularly  and  orderly  as  we  did  after  our 
muster  into  the  United  States  service.  Often  the  men  wont 
hungry,  the  clam  banks  having  heavy  drafts  made  upon  them  by 
the  continued  digging  and  drainage  they  were  subjected  to.  While 
this  was  a  little  troublesome  at  times,  when  pinched  by  the  gnaw 
ing  of  hunger,  it  was  passed  over  without  a  murmur  of  complaint. 
The  boys  felt  that  it  would  be  but  temporary,  for  Sergeant  Inman's 
cheery  face  would  appear  again  before  many  days  with  provisions 
and  letters  from  our  friends — and  when  I  say  friends,  it  means 
friends  in  the  broadest  sense  of  the  word. 

Danvers  was  proud  of  her  boys,  and  almost  every  family  in 
town  was  represented  in  the  company  by  relatives  and  friends. 
The  old  town  was  not  only  doing  a  noble  work  in  supplying  the 
Light  Infantry  with  food,  but  the  men  who  were  married  and  hud 
left  dependent  ones  at  home  were  kindly  considered  by  the  good 
people  and  substantially  cared  for.  Seventy  or  eighty  men  in 
camp  with  dependent  ones  at  home  was  no  small  undertaking,  yet 
it  was  done  and  well  clone  all  by  contributions.  It  has  always 
seemed  to  the  writer  that  more  patriotism  was  shown  at  that  time 
than  has  ever  been  exhibited  since  the  war.  It  was  hardly  dreamed 
that  it  would  be  necessary  to  call  for  a  draft  to  fill  quotas.  Every 
thing  that  came  to  us  there  was  through  a  purely  spontaneous 
patriotism. 

Our  first  death  among  the  commissioned  officers  in  the  regi 
ment  occurred  in  Stewart  Grove,  Camp  Andrew,  October  27,  1801, 
when  First  Lieutenant  George  W.  Tufts  of  Rockport,  Mass.,  be 
longing  to  Company  G,  died  of  typhoid  fever.  He  left  a  widow  at 
home  where  his  body  was  forwarded  by  the  colonel.  He  was  a 
quiet,  gentlemanly  soldier,  much  respected  by  his  brother  officers 
and  men  of  his  company.  Perhaps  as  free  from  sickness  as  it  was 
possible  for  one  thousand  men  to  be  at  any  place,  yet  we  had  some 
typhoid  fever  at  this  camp.  James  E.  Lowell  and  William  Sillars 
died  of  it.  They  were  Company  C  men  belonging  to  Danvers. 
Private  William  Sillars  was  but  nineteen  years  old — a  fine  young 
soldier  and  a  brother  of  Captain  Malcolm  Sillars.  His  body  was 


DEPARTURE  FOR  THE  SEAT  OF  WAR.  115 

sent  to  Danvers  for  interment,  the  captain  accompanying  the 
remains.     Private  Sillars  died  January  3,  1862. 

December  25,  1861,  another  Danvers  man  of  Company  C- 
Simeon  Coffin,  twenty-one  years  old  died.     On  October  30,  1861, 
Company  C    lost  Justin  Flint,   aged  twenty-one.     Flint  was  a 
Middleton  man. 

On  the  8th  of  March  came  an  order  in  great  haste  to  the 
Colonel  to  take  eight  companies  of  the  regiment  and  march  at  once 
to  Patterson's  Park,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  city,  near  the  water 
defence.  The  "Merrimac/ '  under  the  rebel  commander  Buchanan, 
an  ex-officer  of  the  United  States  Navy,  had  steamed  around  Sew- 
all' s  Point,  and  had  attacked  the  fleet  of  war  vessels  in  Hampton 
Roads,  and  had  sunk  the  "Congress"  and  the  "Cumberland," 
two  sloops  of  war,  formerly  frigates  in  the  old  navy;  and  with  a 
determination  to  destroy  every  seaport  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  they 
would  undoubtedly  have  accomplished  it  but  for  the  presence  of 
Lieut.  John  L.  Worclen,  U.  S.  N.,  and  the  first  monitor.  The 
fifteen-inch  gun  in  the  turret  was  too  much  for  the  Monster 
"Merrimac/'  which  was  heavily  armored  by  bending  T-rails 
around  her  bends  and  sides,  making  her  almost  invulnerable  to  the 
ordinance  then  carried  by  the  ships  of  our  navy.  The  monster, 
having  demolished  the  larger  part  of  the  fleet  the  day  before,  came 
bravely  on  with  the  assurance  of  easy  victory,  when  suddenly  out 
darted  the  "Monitor"  from  under  the  quarter  of  the  "Congress," 
and  steered  straight  for  the  "Merrimac.' ' 

Buchanan  had  given  the  officer  of  the  deck  orders  to  run  down 
the  "Monitor"  by  ramming  her  with  the  iron-covered  bow.  This 
slipped  oft'  the  "Monitor,"  giving  the  latter  only  a  slight  shock. 
Worden,  as  soon  as  he  came  in  position.;  trained  his  turret  on  her, 
fired  the  fifteen-inch  gun  at  the  monster  and  backed  off  a  few  yards 
to  swing  his  turret  and  deliver  his  broadside  of  one  gun.  The  shot 
pierced  the  railroad  armor  of  the  "Merrimac,"  threw  the  whole 
ship's  company  into  confusion  and  stopped  for  all  time  the  further 
career,  the  hope  of  the  rebel  navy. 

Now  what  the  military  authorities  at  Washington  expected 
the  old  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers  to  do  against  the 


116  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

"Merrimac/'  with  our  old  kicking  Belgian  rifles  (the  arms  we  were 
supplied  with),  I  never  could  find  out. 

The  question  of  supremacy  being  settled  at  Hampton  Roads 
by  the  ingenuity  of  Ericson,  and  the  courage  of  Lieut.  John  L. 
Worden,  IT.  S.  N.,  we  again  occupied  our  old  camp  at  Stewart's 
Grove,  where  the  order  came  for  the  Seventeenth  to  join  the  Burn- 
side  expedition  in  North  Carolina. 

The  delay  in  getting  transportation  kept  us  in  Baltimore 
anxiously  awaiting  orders.  In  the  meantime  the  news  of  our  de 
parture  was  soon  noised  around  the  city,  and  the  loyal  citizens 
of  Baltimore  notified  Colonel  Amory  that  in  token  of  the  high  es 
teem  the  command  was  held  in  the  monument  city  they  had  ordered 
a  stand  of  colors  made  especially  to  present  to  this  command,  and 
prior  to  our  departure  the  presentation  took  place,  the  regiment  being 
mustered  for  that  purpose.  Many  ladies  were  interested  and  con 
tributed  towards  the  colors  and  were  present  to  enliven  the  occasion. 
Colonel  Amory,  a  quiet,  unassuming  gentleman,  received  the  colors 
and  made  a  patriotic  response  to  the  presentation  speech.  The 
parting  from  our  Baltimore  friends  was  like  severing  the  bonds  of  a 
much  longer  acquaintance.  Many  of  the  officers  had  their  wives 
and  children  boarding  with  them  in  the  city,  and  while  the  regi 
ment  was  preparing  to  move  South,  their  families  belonging  North 
were  also  getting  ready  to  return  to  their  homes. 

At  last  a  dispatch  came,  announcing  .the  arrival  of  the  trans 
port  steamers  to  take  us  to  Newbern,  N.  C.  We  broke  camp  at 
Stewart's  Grove,  where  hundreds  of  citizens  came  to  say  good-bye, 
and  with  platoons  in  line  and  files  dressed,  field  and  staff  in  position, 
the  colonel  gave  the  order  to  "  Forward,  march.' ' 

With  three  cheers  for  our  friends,  and  colors  dipping  salute, 
the  band  playing  "The  Girl  I  left  Behind  Me/ '  we  marched  down 
West  Baltimore  Street  for  the  wharf  to  take  the  two  steamers.  It 
was  a  sorry  parting  to  those  whose  wives  and  little  ones  had  been 
with  husbands  and  fathers  while  the  command  was  stationed  in 
Baltimore. 


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DEPARTURE  FOR  THE  SEAT  OF  WAR.  117 

The  embarkation  was  soon  effected,  shore  fasts  were  cast  off, 
and  heading  down  the  bay,  we  were  fast  leaving  friends  and  the 
beautiful  city  that  had  been  our  home  for  seven  months.  Our 
lines  were  cast  in  pleasant  places  in  Baltimore.  What  the  future 
had  in  store  for  us  the  good  God  alone  knew. 


CHAPTER  V. 


BALTIMORE  TO  NEWBERN — IN  BURNSIDE 's  NINTH  CORPS — FIRST 
BRIGADE  OF  FOSTER'S  DIVISION — COLONEL  AMORY  COM 
MANDING  THE  BRIGADE — AT  THE  FRONT — PICKET,  SCOUTING 
AND  FIGHTING — JACKSON  PLACE,  RED  HOUSE  AND  DEEP 
GULLY  —  NEUTRAL  ZONE —  MALARIA  --  CONVERSION  OF 
MRS.  CLEAVE — TRENTON — TURKEY  FALLON — LAUGHABLE 
MATTER — PLYMOUTH  AND  TARBORO — SHORT  OF  RATIONS — 
BATTLES  OF  KINSTON,  WHITEHALL  AND  GOLDSBORO. 

On  March  27,  the  regiment  left  Camp  Andrew,  Baltimore,  for 
North  Carolina,  and  embarked  on  two  steamers,  "The  Star  of  the 
South"  and  the  "Marion,"  and  was  escorted  to  the  wharf  by 
Reynold  's  Battery,  who  fired  a  parting  salute  in  its  honor. 

The  voyage  at  first  was  not  unpleasant  as  far  as  the  weather 
was  concerned,  but  the  accommodations  on  the  boats  were  so  bad 
that  the  men  were  uncomfortable,  being  crowded,  and  those  who 
were  quartered  below  were  in  a  miserable  condition,  which  was  great 
ly  aggravated  after  it  began  to  blow  hard  (as  it  nearly  always  does  at 
Cape  Hatteras) ;  and  the  men,  most  of  whom  were  new  to  sea  life, 
became  seasick. 

The  entrance  to  Pamlico  Sound  was  through  Hatteras  Inlet, 
which  had  been  defended  by  an  earthwork  fort  that  had  been  taken 
by  the  first  coast  expedition,  under  General  Butler,  to  enable 
General  Burnside  to  enter  the  Sound  and  effect  the  capture  of 
Roanoke  Island  and  Newbern.  The  entrance  through  this  inlet 
was  known  as  the  "  Swash,' '  and  after  what  seemed  an  interminable 
delay,  the  steamers  bearing  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Seventeenth 
got  inside  and  awaited  pilots. 

[118] 


AT    THE    FRONT.  119 

While  awaiting  these  people,  who  soon  appeared  in  the  sound 
like  a  flock  of  gulls  swooping  along  for  finny  prey,  the  men  had  an 
opportunity  of  looking  with  wonderment  at  their  new  environment. 

The  extreme  eastern  section  of  North  Carolina  consists  of  a 
narrow  strip  of  land  extending  along  the  coast,  and  separating  the 
ocean  from  the  interior  or  sound  waters.  The  strip  is  sandy, 
varying  in  width  from  one-fourth  of  a  mile  to  five  miles.  In 
places  it  is  entirely  bare  of  vegetation,  being  merely  an  ocean  sand 
beach.  In  other  places,  especially  near  Hatteras — where  it  is 
widest — it  is  covered  by  a  growth  of  live  oaks,  red  cedars  (wiiich 
latter,  even  in  calm  weather,  look  as  if  a  hurricane  were  blowing 
them  into  fugitive  resistance),  and  some  mainland  trees,  and  a  shrub 
called  yeopon,  from  which  a  tea  is  made  by  the  natives.  This 
strip  of  land  is  called  "The  Bank"  (sand  bank  would  be  more 
appropriate).  It  is  broken  by  four  considerable  inlets,  namely, 
Hatteras,  Ocracoke,  Beaufort, —and  at  the  mouth  of  the  Cape 
Fear  River.  Through  these  inlets,  vessels  from  the  sea  enter  the 
interior  waters.  Root  crops,  sweet  potatoes  and  ground  nuts  are 
the  principal  products,  as  the  high  winds  are  hostile  to  the  culti 
vation  of  corn  and  other  grains. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  strip  of  land  live  mainly  by  fishing  and 
pilotage,  a  number  of  these  gentry  soon  putting  in  an  appearance 
and  taking  charge  of  the  transports,  and  on  the  first  of  April,  1862, 
the  transports  headed  southwest  towards  the  entrance  of  the  Neuse 
River,  a  large  stream  which  drained  a  large  area  of  swampy  land, 
for  the  mainland  part,  immediately  bordering  on  the  sounds  to  the 
east,  is  but  slightly  elevated,  and  abounds  in  large  swampy  areas. 

The  city  of  Newbern  was  reached  about  noon,  though  the 
regiment  did  not  land  till  about  4:30  in  the  afternoon,  when  it  was 
escorted  by  the  24th  Massachusetts  Regiment  to  the  place  selected 
for  its  camp  outside  the  city,  and  near  where  Fort  Totten  was 
located. 

The  city  of  Newbern  is  located  at  the  point  of  the  junction  of 
the  Trent  River  with  the  Neuse  River.  It  is  an  old  city,  having 
been  founded  by  a  Swiss  nobleman,  Baron  de  Graffenreidt,  who 
emigrated  from  Berne,  Switzerland,  in  1709,  being  followed  the 
second  year,  by  1500  people  of  his  native  place.  •  He  called  the 


120  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

city  New  Berne  in  honor  of  the  city  of  his  birth,  though  it  must 
have  been  a  "come  down"  for  those  mountaineers  to  settle  in  such 
a  level,  swampy  region. 

Before  the  war,  Newbern  was  a  port  of  entry  and  enjoyed  a 
considerable  trade  in  naval  stores  and  cotton.  Now,  however, 
on  the  arrival  of  the  Seventeenth,  it  presented  a  somewhat  war- 
battered  appearance,  with  vacant  spaces  on  some  of  its  streets 
covered  with  ruins  of  burned  buildings. 

The  regiment  was  not  permitted  to  take  a  long  rest  before 
assimilation  into  the  army  corps  already  in  possession  of  the  de 
partment,  for  on  the  day  following  its  arrival  in  Newbern  it  was 
brigaded  as  the  First  Regiment  of  the  First  Brigade  of  the  First 
(General  Foster's  )  Division  of  the  Ninth  (Burnside's  )  Army 
Corps.  Colonel  Amory  was  given  command  of  the  brigade. 

The  different  companies  were  now  assigned  to  duty,  princi 
pally  on  picket,  at  different  points  outside  Newbern,  from  eight 
to  ten  miles  distant. 

The  general  policy  of  the  officers  in  command  of  the  depart 
ment  was  a  defensive  one,  and  therefore  invited  attack  or  harassing 
demonstrations  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  which  made  outpost 
duty  somewhat  lively  and  often  interesting.  This  was  a  novel 
experience  for  the  men  of  the  Seventeenth,  who  at  first  enjoyed  it 
keenly,  especially  as  the  weather  was  mild  and  vegetation  made  the 
surroundings  attractive,  the  deciduous  trees  coming  into  leafy  and 
flowery  luxuriance. 

One  thing,  however,  was  soon  realized,  and  that  was  that 
marching  over  the  roads,  with  mud  ankle-deep  and  water  knee- 
deep,  and  skirmishing  in  swampy  woods,  was  no  fun  for  the  boys, 
though  they  usually  made  light  of  such  hardships,  and  tried  to 
look  on  it  as  excitement  and  adventure. 

Our  regiment  was  not  allowed  to  rest  long  in  the  city  of 
Newbern,  one  wing,  under  Colonel  Fellows,  going  to  Batchelder  's 
Creek,  April  11,  1862,  and  the  Red  House,  April  16,  1862;  and  the 
other  wing,  under  Major  Frankle,  going  to  the  Jackson  Place 
April  11,  1862.  Their  movements  were  all  conducted  from  these 
points  until  April  29,  1862,  when  the  right  wing  joined  the  left 


AT    THE    FRONT.  121 

wing  at  Jackson  Place.     On  the  29th  of  May,  the  whole  regiment 
was  recalled  to  Newbern. 

One  of  the  first  expeditions  in  which  the  regiment  engaged 
was  with  the  23d  and  27th  Massachusetts  Regiments,  about  eight 
miles  from  the  Jackson  Place,  towards  Trenton,  on  the  Trent  Road, 
to  break  up  a  rebel  camp  at  the  Merritt  House.  The  rebels 
apparently  were  awrare  of  their  coming  and  had  "skedadled," 
leaving  a  noonday  meal  of  meat  and  sweet  potatoes  cooking,  which 
\vas  enjoyed  by  our  men  as  far  as  it  went. 

On  this  raid  the  regiment  carne  near  losing  some  of  its  members, 
Companies  C  and  F  were  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  some  of  the 
men,  seeing  others  in  the  woods,  and  thinking  they  were  some  of 
the  enemy,  Company  C  fired  on  Company  F,  and  F  returned  the 
fire,  but  the  mistake  was  quickly  discovered,  and  fortunately  no 
one  was  hurt. 

Throughout  April,  and  up  to  the  middle  of  May,  the  various 
companies  of  the  regiment  were  kept  busy  on  outpost  duty,  making 
small  raids  in  different  directions  outside  of  Newbern;  engaging  in 
skirmishes,  capturing  a  few  prisoners;  killing  some  of  the  Con 
federates  (mostly  North  Carolina  Troops),  and  confiscating  con 
siderable  live-stock,  provisions,  etc. 

The  first  disaster  marking  loss  of  life  was  on  April  10,  1862, 
when  a  party  composed  of  men  of  Company  H  started  out  on  a 
scout.  In  crossing  the  Trent  River,  the  boat  being  overloaded, 
it  upset,  and  three  of  the  men  of  Company  H  were  drowned.  This 
scouting  party  went  to  Pollocksville  and  captured  a  cavalry  picket 
outpost. 

The  necessity  of  maintaining  a  strong  picket  force  around 
Newbern  to  prevent  raids  and  surprises  by  the  enemy,  kept  the 
various  companies  on  picket  duty  most  of  the  time,  so  the  old 
battalion  drill  was  becoming  a  thing  of  the  past.  Daily  and  nightly 
attacks  by  small  parties  of  rebel  cavalry  and  infantry,  and  bush 
whackers  kept  the  men  on  picket  on  the  alert  almost  constantly, 
while  false  alarms  often  disturbed  many  a  comfortable  siesta. 
The  turpentine  woods  also  were  frequently  set  on  fire,  making 
night  more  or  less  luminous,  and  keeping  our  men  on  the  qui  vive. 


122  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

So  frequent  were  the  attacks  on  picket  guards  that  fires  were 
rarely  allowed  on  outposts  at  night,  though  the  monotony  of 
keeping  watch  in  the  dark  hours  of  the  night  was  something  trying, 
for  the  least  noise,  the  cracking  of  dry  branches,  the  baying  of  dogs 
in  chase  of  game,  or  the  footfalls  of  a  deer  or  other  wild  animal 
would  cause  apprehension  that  the  enemy  was  closing  in,  and 
frequently  the  picket  post  would  be  aroused  by  such  trivial  causes. 

From  time  to  time,  where  a  fire  was  lighted  on  an  outpost  a 
shot  from  some  concealed  bushwhacker  would  ring  out,  and  it 
would  sometimes  be  a  fatal  one,  for  those  fellows  were  usually  good 
marksmen.  The  consequence  was  that  from  time  to  time  the  news 
would  come  that  a  sentry  on  such  a  picket  line  had  been  shot  the 
night  before.  Poor  fellow ! 

It  was  a  lesson  which  the  officers  would  use  to  impress  their 
men  as  to  the  necessity  of  caution  and  watchfulness  while  on 
picket.  Did  the  men  heed  it?  Not  always;  and  hence  the  lesson 
was  repeated  from  time  to  time. 

But  the  guerillas  were  not  the  only  trouble  to  the  boys  in  blue 
in  North  Carolina.  In  that  swampy  country  malaria  was  more 
dangerous,  if  not  more  fatal  than  the  bushwhackers'  leaden  bullets. 
The  warm  season  in  that  country  sets  in  early,  and  the  mercury  in 
the  thermometer  climbs  up  into  the  nineties  in  April  and  May, 
when  Massachusetts  is  chilled  and  shivering  in  the  northeast 
winds. 

Our  soldiers,  being  unacclimated,  rapidly  succumbed  to  ''the 
shakes,' '  and  the  mornings  surgeon's  call  showed  a  rapid  increase. 
Men  were  taken  down  sick,  unfit  for  duty,  who  a  few  hours  before 
felt  all  right;  but  with  the  shivers  running  down  the  spine,  which  a 
little  later  would  turn  to  fever,  they  would  throng  to  the  doctor's 
tent,  and  get  the  bitter  draught  as  remedy — whiskey  and  quinine. 
The  next  day  the  victim  (in  his  first  experience)  would  feel  so 
well  that  he  would  marvel  at  the  skill  of  the  surgeon  the  medi 
cinal  value  of  whiskey  and  quinine,  and  feel  fully  competent  to  go 
on  duty.  But  the  surgeon,  wiser  by  experience,  would  not  permit 
him  to  do  so.  The  day  following  he  would  know  why.  And  thus 
he  might  go  on,  with  occasional  spells  of  freedom  from  the  inter 
mittent  fever,  until  he  had  taken  so  much  quinine  that  he  was  no 


AT    THE    FRONT.  123 

longer  able  to  master  the  "hard  tack' '  with  his  loosened  teeth.  It 
was  a  serious  situation  indeed,  but  no  better  remedy  being  avail 
able,  whiskey  and  quinine  became  a  regular  morning  ration  in  the 
North  Carolina  district. 

The  contests  at  the  outposts,  though  on  a  small  scale,  were 
lively  and  continuous.  One  day  it  would  be  the  capture  of  one  of 
our  cavalry  videttes  and  perhaps  one  of  our  infantry  pickets,  and 
on  the  next  day,  three  or  four  of  the  rebel  cavalry  unsaddled — 
killed  or  wounded.  The  day  following  perhaps  four  or  more  rebels 
would  be  captured.  Then  scouting  parties  would  penetrate  the 
enemy's  territory,  and  return  with  an  assortment  of  mules,  vehicles, 
hams,  bacon,  corn  and  fowls — "confiscated,"  of  course. 

Added  to  this  service  and  other  discomforts,  the  season  was  a 
rainy  one.  Indeed,  it  was  remarked  that  during  the  war,  the 
wind-storms  and  rains  were  unusually  heavy.  To  the  men  of  the 
Eighteenth  Army  Corps  in  Xorth  Carolina,  the  early  spring  was 
not  only  a  hot  one,  but  a  rainy  and  windy  one.  The  wind  and 
rain  would  come  together.  The  wind  would  blow  down  the  tents, 
and  the  rain  would  soak  their  exposed  occupants. 

Another  discomfort  were  the  insect  pests — hungry  fleas, 
wood  ticks,  ravenous  mosquitos,  biting  flies  and  an  army  of  gray- 
backs  that  never  "ceased  from  troubling/'  and  it  can  be  judged 
what  an  amount  of  patient  suffering  was  required  of  the  men  who 
endured  and  tried  to  enjoy  life  in  spite  of  them. 

The  first  expedition  in  which  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  parti 
cipated,  with  other  organizations,  was  on  May  15, 1862,  after  being 
underarms  most  of  the  night.  In  company  with  the  Twenty-fifth 
Massachusetts,  a  squadron  of  the  Third  Xew  York  Cavalry,  and 
two  guns  of  the  Fourth  Rhode  Island  Battery,  the  expedition  started 
at  2:30  A.  M.,  taking  the  Trent  Road.  The  road  was  ankle-deep  in 
mud,  and  the  small  streams  or  branches  were  more  than  knee-deep. 
The  expedition,  when  within  two  miles  of  Trenton,  encountered 
a  force  of  the  enemy  about  100  strong.  These,  the  cavalry,  after 
a  short  engagement,  routed.  A  house  where  the  headquarters  of 
the  rebels  had  been  located  was  burned,  and  the  expedition  returned 
to  Xewbern  by  1:30  o'clock  p.  M.,  having  marched  twenty-six 
miles  and  cleaned  out  a  nest  of  rebels — a  small  force,  it  is  true,  but 


124  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

a  much  larger  one  was  looked  for.  The  casualties  in  this  expedi 
tion  were,  two  men  of  the  Third  New  York  Cavalry  wounded; 
while  the  enemy  had  nine  killed  and  wounded,  who  fell  into  our 
hands,  besides  several  others  that  they  carried  off  in  their  retreat. 


DISASTER  TO  COMPANY  I. 

On  the  22d  of  May  occurred  the  most  serious  disaster  that  had 
as  yet  befallen  the  regiment.  Company  I,  under  command  of 
Captain  Thomas  Weir,  went  out  on  a  scout  toward  Pollocksville. 
When  near  that  place,  after  securing  considerable  plunder,  and 
meeting  with  little  or  no  resistance,  Captain  Weir  and  his  company 
started  on  their  return  to  camp,  when  they  were  attacked  by  Con 
federates  in  ambush,  and  Company  I  lost  one  man  killed,  three 
mortally  wounded  and  six  badly  wounded. 

Of  this  unfortunate  episode,  Lieut.  James  Moroney,  who  had 
been  promoted  from  second-lieutenant  in  Company  E  to  first- 
lieutenant  in  Company  I,  and  who  was  present  at  the  catastrophe, 
writes : 

"There  was  a  widow  woman  by  the  name  of  Fosque,  who  lived 
outside  our  lines  on  the  Pollocksville  road.  She  held  a  protection 
from  us.  She  came  to  camp  one  day  and  said  the  rebels  were  com 
ing  to  take  her  property  away  from  her.  The  colonel  gave  Captain 
Weir  an  order  to  take  the  company  out  there.  So  we  started  out 
in  the  morning.  I  think  it  was  about  the  22d  of  May,  1862.  We 
had  about  thirty-five  men.  We  threw  out  skirmishes  as  we  went 
along  to  guard  against  surprise.  We  had  been  there  once  before. 
We  started  to  return  to  camp  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
We  had  with  us  two  little  mule  teams,  and  had  not  marched  far 
when  John  O'Leary  came  back  to  the  left  of  the  company,  where 
my  position  of  first-lieutenant  was,  and  said  he  was  sick,  and  wanted 
to  ride  back  to  camp.  I  told  him  I  did  not  have  charge  of  the  com 
pany,  and  directed  him  to  go  and  see  the  captain.  He  did  so,  and 
the  captain  gave  him  permission,  saying  he  could  ride  after  we  got 
on  the  hill  which  we  were  then  ascending.  O'Leary  then  put  his 


AT    THE    FRONT.  125 

rifle  and  shoes  into  the  wagon;  but  the  poor  fellow  never  got  over 
the  hill  alive.  He  was  the  first  man  shot,  and  the  shot  that  killed 
him  seemed  to  be  the  signal  for  the  rest  of  them  to  fire.  There  was 
not  a  man  in  our  company  that  ever  saw  one  of  them. 

"The  Confederates  lay  there  in  the  thick  brush  on  the  top  of 
the  hill,  and  fired  down  on  us  as  we  were  marching  by.  The  bluff 
was  about  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet  above  the  road — a  better  spot 
could  not  have  been  selected  for  an  ambuscade.  About  twelve 
of  our  men  were  hit,  the  head  of  the  company  suffering  most,  as 
they  did  not  allow  us  to  get  far  before  they  fired.  John  O'Leary 
of  Lawrence  was  killed  outright.  The  orderly  sergeant,  Charles 
W.  Judge  of  Haverhill  was  badly  wounded,  and  carried  a  ball 
in  his  body  until  he  died.  James  W.  Brown  of  Boston  received 
wounds  of  which  he  died  a  few  days  later.  Daniel  Farrington  of 
West  Xewbury  was  badly  wounded  and  lived  only  a  few  weeks. 
The  others  were  not  so  dangerously  wounded. 

"This  accident,  which  could  not  have  been  avoided,  was  never 
reported  to  General  Foster,  who  was  in  command,  and  when  he 
hoard  of  it,  he  demanded  an  investigation  from  headquarters  and 
Captain  Weir  had  to  be  courtmartialed.  The  court  found  him 
guilty  of  neglect  of  duty  for  not  throwing  out  skirmishers  to  guard 
against  surprise  on  his  return  to  camp. 

"  I  sincerely  think  that  there  was  not  a  braver  or  more  compe- 
1  cut  officer  in  the  regiment  than  Captain  Thomas  Weir.' ' 

Of  this  incident ,  the  editor  has  recently  received  the  following 
account  which  is  circumstantial  and  accurate,  being  the  relation  of 
an  officer  who  commanded  the  expedition  sent  to  the  rescue  of 
Company  I : 

"When  the  regiment  was  at  the  Jackson  Place,  about  six  miles 
outside  Newborn,"  ho  writes,  "Colonel  Fellows  received  informa 
tion  from  outside  the  Union  linos  that  the  Confederates  had  been 
ordered  to  gather  in  all  the  cattle,  horses  and  such  supplies  as  they 
could  find  in  the  neutral  zone  lying  between  the  opposing  forces, 
so  as  to  prevent  the  Union  troops  from  taking  possession  of  them. 

"In  order  to  defeat  this  scheme.  Colonel  Follows,  on  May 

,  1862,  ordered  Captain  Thomas  Weir  to  march  his  company 

out  on  a  foraging  expedition  to  the  estate  of  the  widow  Fosque, 


126  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

on  the  Pollocksville  road,  where,  as  it  was  well-known  there  were 
some  good  cows,  horses  and  other  property,  which  could  be  used  by 
the  Union  forces  to  advantage,  and  thus  defeat  the  designs  of  the 
Confederates  on  the  much-coveted  property. 

"  Captain  Weir  obeyed  the  order  promptly,  and  succeeded  in 
getting  in  the  property  referred  to,  and  started  to  return  to  camp, 
when  he  was  ambushed  by  a  greatly  superior  force  of  the  enemy. 
Captain  Weir  had  only  thirty-five  men  and  officers  in  his  command 
that  day,  and  when  he  had  placed  some  of  them  in  charge  of  the 
horses,  some  in  charge  of  the  cows,  and  others  in  charge  of  the  team 
hauling  several  bales  of  cotton,  there  were  but  few  fighting  men  left 
to  the  captain  to  act  as  skirmishers  and  guard  his  flanks,  so  that,  as 
a  matter  of  fact,  there  were  no  skirmishers  thrown  out,  because 
there  were  not  enough  men  to  do  much  with.  Thus  it  was  with  Cap 
tain  Weir  as  he  marched  away  from  Mrs.  Fosque's  house  that  day. 

"He  had  not  proceeded  far,  however,  when  a  volley  from 
ambush  killed  one  of  his  men,  wounded  orderly  Sergeant  Charles 
W.  Judge  and  others,  and  stampeded  the  horses  and  cattle  that  were 
not  in  harness.  The  enemy  had  chosen  an  elevation  in  a  thickly 
wooded  spot  on  the  side  of  the  road,  from  which  they  delivered  a 
well-directed  fire  from  Harper's  Ferry  breach-loading  rifles  (as 
was  afterwards  proved)  without  fear  of  the  fire  being  returned  from 
the  surprised  and  disorganized  men  of  Company  I. 

"  Captain  Weir  and  Lieutenant  Moroney  tried  their  best  to 
rally  the  men,  but  in  the  confusion,  finding  it  unwise  to  make  a 
stand  against  a  concealed  enemy  on  the  open  road,  ordered  their 
men  over  the  fence  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  where  partially 
protected  by  fence  and  trees,  the  men  maintained  a  fight  which 
could  not  last  long  against  such  odds  in  number  and  in  position, 
for  it  afterwards  developed  that  a  full  company,  with  breech 
loaders,  were  opposing  them;  but  finding  it  would  be  useless  to 
prolong  such  a  contest,  Captain  Weir  marched  his  men  away 
through  the  woods  from  the  scene  of  disaster  and  reached  the 
regimental  camp  about  an  hour  later. 

"When  Captain  Weir  made  his  report  of  the  experiences  of 
the  morning,  Colonel  Fellows,  then  commanding  the  regiment,  de 
termined  to  punish  the  Confederates  if  possible,  and  regain  the  lost 


AT    THE    FRONT.  127 

property.  He  ordered  Captain  Splaine,  with  Company  A,  and 
Captain  McNamara,  with  Company  E,  to  proceed  to  the  scene 
of  the  trouble  as  soon  as  they  could  get  there. 

"It  is  but  justice  to  say  here  that  Captain  Weir  tried  to  make 
a  stand  upon  the  open  road,  and  to  rally  his  men,  then  somewhat 
scattered  and  confused.  Sergeant  Killoran  suggested,  and  even 
shouted  at  the  top  of  his  voice:  'Let  us  charge  them.'  But  how 
many  were  there  to  charge  with?  There  were  only  about  a  dozen 
men  near  enough  to  help  Captain  Weir  to  make  any  sort  of  a  fight. 

"A  battalion  of  two  companies  (A  and  E),  under  Captain 
XcXamara,  marched  in  quick  time  to  Deep  Gully,  when  a  halt 
was  made,  and  then  skirmishers  were  thrown  out,  and  the  com 
mand  moved  up  to  near  the  " forks  of  the  road,"  where  another 
halt  was  made  for  consultation.  At  this  juncture  Captain  Mc 
Namara  relinquished  the  command  of  the  two  companies  to  Cap 
tain  Splaine,  who  at  once  made  proper  disposition  of  the  men,  and 
moved  promptly  towards  the  enemy,  taking  the  middle  of  the 
Pollocksville  Road  himself,  with  his  skirmishers  on  either  side, 
kept  dressed  on  him  by  the  edges  of  the  road. 

"Upon  swinging  from  the  Trent  Road,  into  the  Pollocksville 
Road,  the  captain  placed  Lieutenant  James  Splaine  in  command  of 
a  platoon  some  distance  in  advance  of  the  forks,  with  instructions 
to  guard  the  approaches  by  the  Trent  Road  and  to  guard  and  pro 
tect  the  rear  of  the  companies  then  advancing  toward  the  enemy. 

"As  Captain  Splaine  and  his  skirmishers  swept  on  toward  the 
scene  of  the  ambuscade,  he  saw  some  Confederates  talking  with 
the  wounded  men  of  Company  I,  who,  when  they  saw  the  rescue 
party  coming,  hastily  rejoined  their  own  command,  and  soon  after 
ward  Captain  Splaine's  skirmishers  and  the  rebels  became  actively 
engaged. 

"Some  lively  firing  was  indulged  in;  Captain  Splaine  ordered 
his  men  to  move  double-quick,  and  they  drove  the  enemy  before 
them  in  short  order,  recovering  the  dead  and  wounded  and  part  of 
the  property  abandoned  by  Company  I. 

"In  the  light  and  quickly-ended  skirmish,  one  of  the  enemy 
was  evidently  wounded,  for  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  his 


128  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Harper's  Ferry  breech-loading  rifle,  which  proved  how  the  enemy 
was  armed. 

"The  march  back  to  camp,  with  dead,  wounded,  some  horses, 
cows  and  considerable  cotton  was  made  through  a  thunder  and  rain 
storm  unparalleled  in  the  memory  of  the  writer  of  this  narrative. 
There  was  no  sleep  that  night,  for  the  camp  was  literally  afloat. 

"  Captain  Splaine  was  thanked  most  warmly  by  Colonel  Fellows 
for  the  prompt  and  successful  manner  in  which  he  accomplished  the 
object  of  the  movement,  and  was  at  once  rewarded  by  being  invited 
to  remain  at  headquarters  that  awfully  stormy  night,  a  courtesy 
rarely  extended  to  the  officers  of  the  line.  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
the  invitation  was  accepted  by  the  captain. 

11  Captain  Weir  was  suspended  from  duty,  and  sent  before  a 
courtmartial,  charged  with  neglect  of  duty  for  not  having  thrown 
out  skirmishers  when  he  had  taken  up  his  line  of  march  after  leav 
ing  the  plantation  of  Mrs.  Fosque.  No  witnesses  were  heard  on 
behalf  of  Captain  Weir,  not  even  the  captured  rifle. 

11  Captain  Splaine,  the  first  Union  soldier  on  the  scene  after 
the  disaster,  and  commanding  the  Union  forces,  was  not  sum 
moned.  The  court  found  Captain  Weir  guilty  and  sentenced  him 
to  be  dismissed  from  the  service. 

"Almost  without  exception,  the  officers  and  men  of  the  regi 
ment  sympathized  with  Captain  Weir,  and  they  also  believed,  ns 
the  surviving  members  of  the  command  believe  today,  that  Cap 
tain  Weir  had  not  been  justly  dealt  with,,  and  all  then  believed,  as 
all  the  survivors  believe,  that  the  regiment  lost  a  good  and  a  brave 
officer  when  Captain  Weir  was  sent  home  to  private  life. 

"The  full  truth  of  the  attack  on  Company  I  came,  to  light  on 
the  evening  of  the  day  when  the  battle  of  Kmston  was  fought, 
December  14,  1862,  Captain  Splaine  being  acting  provost-marshal, 
that  evening,  while  Major  Frankle  the  Provost  marshall  was  ab 
sent,  trying  to  save  some  cotton  which  the  retreating  Confederates 
had  set  on  fire,— was  accosted  by  a  rebel  prisoner,  who  inquired 
about  Captain  Weir.  He  stated  that  he  was  the  captain  in  com 
mand  of  the  rebel  company  that  had  ambushed  Company  I.  He 
said  that  Captain  Weir  had  made  so  many  successful  raids  into 
rebeldom.  and  had  captured  so  much  property,  that  the  command- 


AT    THE   FRONT.  129 

ing  officer  at  Kinston  had  made  up  his  mind  that  it  was  about  time 
to  wipe  him  and  his  company  out.  This  rebel  captain  was  placed 
in  command  of  fifty  picked  men  (the  majority  of  them  armed  with 
Harper's  Ferry  breach-loading  rifles,  and  a  few  armed  with  smooth 
bores,  from  which  they  fired  "buck  and  ball")  to  carry  out  his 
wishes.  This  force  was  ordered  to  go  and  not  return  until  they  had 
finished  up  Weir's  marauding  company.  They  succeeded  pretty 
well,  as  the  facts  related  show. 

"Is  it  any  wonder,  then,  that  fifty  well-armed  men  from  am 
bush  routed  twelve  or  fifteen  who  were  marching  in  an  open  road 
unaware  of  any  such  danger  as  that  which  came  suddenly  upon 
them?" 

While  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  was  stationed  at  the  Jackson 
Place,  some  miles  out  of  Newbern,  during  the  spring  and  early 
summer  of  1862,  several  expeditions  were  organized  and  went  forth 
to  interrupt  the  communications  and  seize  upon  the  supplies  of 
the  Confederates  stationed  and  operating  in  that  section  of  North 
Carolina,  resulting  in  hard  marches,  some  fighting,  the  destruction 
of  bridges  and  other  public  property,  the  gathering  in  of  supplies, 
and  occasionally  a  few  rebel  prisoners.  On  these  raids  there  was, 
as  a  matter  of  fact,  more  or  less  of  individual  foraging,  notwith 
standing  the  well-known  prohibition  of  the  officers  of  such  work. 
There  were  few  exceptions  to  this  rule,  however,  but  one  of  these 
was  notable  enough  to  furnish  material  for  a  story  and  a  sobriquet 
for  one  of  the  actors  in  the  little  drama. 


TURKEY  FALLON. 

It  appears  that  Sam  Reed  of  Company  A,  on  one  occasion, 
because  the  captain  would  not  allow  him  to  "hook"  one,  actually 
bought  a  turkey  at  a  farmhouse,  near  the  Merritt  House  on  the 
Trent  Road,  the  latter  place  being  well-known  to  members  of  the 
Seventeenth.  Sam  wrung  the  neck  of  the  bird  and  carried  it  to 
the  quarters  of  his  company  at  the  Mangan  Place  (the  inner  picket 
guard).  He  then  hired  a  colored  "mammy"  to  cook  the  turkey, 


130  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

she  agreeing  to  have  it  cooked  and  ready  for  him  at  an  hour  speci 
fied,  for  which  service  she  was  to  receive  a  quarter. 

When  Sam  was  making  his  bargain  with  the  colored  woman, 
he  was  not  aware  of  the  fact  that  another  party  was  an  attentive 
listener  to  it.  This  was  a  comrade  concealed  in  the  bushes  near- 
by.  This  fellow,  taking  advantage  of  the  knowledge  thus  gained, 
presented  himself  about  fifteen  minutes  before  the  specified  time, 
and  asked " Is  me  turkey  cooked?"  The  mammy  replied,  "Yes, 
Massa;  all  ready,  Massa."  The  man  said,  "Well,  here's  the 
quarter  and  give  me  me  turkey.' '  And  she  gave  the  bird  to  him. 

A  few  minutes  after  the  man  left  with  the  turkey,  Sam  Reed 
put  in  an  appearance  and  asked  for  his  turkey,  but  to  his  surprise 
and  the  indignation  attendant  upon  a  disappointed  appetite,  he 
learned  that  someone  had  got  ahead  of  him  and  secured  the  bird. 
Sam  asked  the  mammy  who  the  fellow  was,  but  all  the  information 
he  could  get  from  her  was  "Dat  de  gemman  had  come,  paid  de 
quarter  and  took  dat  turkey  away  wif  him. ' '  Sam  asked  the  woman 
to  describe  the  man,  and  what  he  said  when  he  called  for  the 
turkey.  To  all  his  inquiries  she  said,  "All  1  know,  Mars,  he  was 
a  Yankee  man,  a  sojer,  an'  I  thought  he  wus  de  same  gemman  dat 
had  guv  me  de  turkey  to  cook.' ' 

Of  course,  Sam  was  wild  over  the  loss  of  his  turkey,  which  he 
had  paid  a  dollar  and  a  half  for.  He  rushed  to  Captain  Splaine 
and  told  him  the  story  of  his  loss,  and  said  the  captain  was  to  blame 
for  the  whole  thing,  for  if  he  had  not  been  so  strict  with  his  men  the 
bird  would  not  have  cost  him  (Sam)  anything. 

The  captain  pacified  Sam,  and  told  him  that  if  he  would  keep 
his  mouth  shut  about  the  matter,  the}^  would  soon  find  out  who 
the  thief  was.  Sam  agreed  to  keep  silent  about  it,  and  had  not  to 
wait  many  hours  before  the  culprit  was  fully  known,  much  to  his 
satisfaction.  It  came  about  in  this  way :  At  roll  call  that  evening, 
all  the  men  not  on  guard  were  paraded.  The  orderly  sergeant 
called  the  roll  from  memory,  and  the  captain  noticed  that  the  name 
of  Martin  Fallon  had  not  been  called.  He  said,  "Sergeant  Mason, 
I  did  not  hear  you  call  Fallon's  name.  Why  is  it?"  The  orderly 
replied  that  Fallon  was  a  very  sick  man.  "Trot  him  out,"  said 
the  captain.  And  sure  enough,  when  Fallon  was  trotted  out  he 


AT   THE   FRONT.  131 

presented  a  woe-begone  appearance — face  flushed,  showing  that  he 
was  feverish.  Martin  was  evidently  a  very  sick  man. 

The  captain  looking  at  him  a  moment,  asked:  "What  is  the 
matter  with  you,  Fallon?" — "Oh,  then,  captain/'  he  replied, 
"but  I'm  awful  sick!" 

The  captain  approached  Fallen,  and  with  a  show  of  knowing 
something  of  medical  practice,  felt  his  pulse,  looked  at  his  tongue, 
raised  the  lid  of  one  eye  and  looked  in.  Then,  speaking  so  loud 
that  every  man  in  the  company  could  hear  him,  said:  "Martin 
Fallen,  turkey  does  not  agree  with  you,  does  it?' ' 

Martin  looked  guilty  and  hung  his  head,  but  made  no  ans  wer. 
Then  the  captain  said:  "Martin,  you  stole  Sam  Reed's  turkey, 
and  I'll  give  you  until  twelve  o'clock  tomorrow  to  pay  him  one 
dollar  and  fifty  cents.  If  you  don't  pay  him,  I'll  court-martial  you. 
"Will  you  do  it?' ' — "  I  will,  sir,' '  was  Martin's  answer. 

It  appears  that  when  he  obtained  possession  of  Sam's  turkey, 
Martin  went  into  the  bush  and  ate  everything  of  it  but  the  bones. 
He  must  have  eaten  three  pounds  of  turkey  meat,  and  it  was  no 
wonder  he  was  sick.  When  Martin  recovered  from  his  surfeit  of 
turkey,  he  took  some  of  the  boys  to  the  place  where  he  had  devoured 
it. 

The  men  of  Company  A,  and  some  of  those  of  the  other  com 
panies  who  knew  of  the  affair,  called  him  "Turkey  Fallen/ '  and  to 
this  day  he  is  known  by  that  name.  When  any  of  the  boys  attempt 
to  joke  Colonel  Splaine  about  his  countryman,  Martin  Fallon,  the 
colonel  wittily  replies:  "No,  no,  sir;  that  is  a  mistake,"  and 
adds,  "Can't  you  tell  by  the  man's  appearance,  his  name,  his 
accent,  where  he  came  from;"  and  adds  that  he  knows  by  all  the 
peculiarities  referred  to,  as  well  as  his  weakness  for  poultry,  that 
Turkey  Fallon  must  have  been  born  in  the  neighborhood  of  Con 
stantinople;  and  that  he  has  the  name,  the  accent,  the  appearance 
and  some  of  the  habits  of  the  people  of  that  region. 

"From  what  has  already  been  told  of  the  duties  of  our  troops 
in  the  district  in  and  about  Newbern;  the  designs  of  the  Confeder 
ates  to  gather  in  live-stock,  provisions  and  other  property  in  the 
neutral  zone  surrounding  that  city,  and  the  efforts  of  the  Union 
forces  to  prevent  such  a  seizure,  it  can  be  judged  what  a  hardship 


132  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

it  was  to  planters  and  dwellers  in  that  section.  They  naturally 
sympathized  with  their  own  people,  but  if  they  held  intercourse 
with  the  Union  forces,  they  were  suspected  by  the  Confederates  of 
giving  information  as  to  their  movements,  while  the  Union  troops 
not  only  suspected  that  they  gave  information  of  army  movements, 
but  when  picketing  or  bushwhacking  was  indulged  in,  at  night, 
it  wras  believed  that  it  was  these  professed  non-combatants  who  did 
the  shooting.  They  were  thus  between  the  upper  and  nether 
millstones,  and  suffered  accordingly. 

Some  harrowing  tales  might  be  told  to  illustrate  this,  but  the 
writer  can  say  from  personal  experience  (and  he  slipped  out  beyond 
the  outposts  on  more  than  one  occasion  while  on  picket)  that  the 
men  he  met  were  friendly  and  never  attempted  to  take  advantage 
of  his  or  their  (for  he  was  usually  accompanied  by  a  comrade) 
isolated  position,  which  might  invite  treachery  under  existing  con 
ditions. 

The  attack  on  Company  I  was  at  first  thought  to  be  the  work 
of  men  not  in  the  Confederate  service — guerrillas,  in  fact;  but  it  was 
soon  proven  that  it  was  the  work  of  Confederate  soldiers,  who  were 
simply  carrying  out  the  orders  of  their  superior  officers. 

That  the  people  of  North  Carolina  were  not  all  hostile  to  the 
Union  was  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  several  regiments  were  re 
cruited  from  these  people  and  officered  by  commissioned  and  non 
commissioned  officers  from  the  Seventeenth  and  other  Northern 
regiments.  The  rank  and  file  of  these  regiments,  that  is,  the 
natives  of  North  Carolina, — literally  took  their  lives  in  their  hands, 
for  if  not  killed  in  action,  they  knew  that  if  taken  in  battle,  sure 
death  awaited  them. 

Dr.  Galloupe,  while  a  prisoner  at  Kinston,  N.  C.,  on  his  way 
to  Libby  prison,  in  Richmond,  tells  of  the  execution  in  that  city 
of  twenty-five  North  Carolinans  captured  while  in  the  Union  ser 
vice.  They  were  hanged  like  common  malefactors,  and  the  doctor 
was  invited  by  his  captors  to  witness  the  execution,  which,  how 
ever,  he  very  properly  declined  to  accept. 

One  of  the  early  expeditions  (June  27)  in  which  the  Seven 
teenth  Regiment  participated  was  that  to  Swift  Creek,  some  twenty 
miles  from  Newbern,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Neuse  River.  To 


AT   THE   FRONT.  133 

get  there  the  troops  were  carried  in  transports  about  half  the  dis 
tance  up  the  river,  and  had  to  march  over  land  from  the  landing- 
place. 

The  village  of  Swift  Creek  was  located  on  the  other  side  of  the 
creek  that  gave  it  its  name.  This  creek  was  crossed  by  a  bridge, 
on  the  approach  to  which  the  enemy  was  sighted  and  shelled,  upon 
which  they  retired  in  haste.  In  " Soldiering  in  North  Carolina," 
an  account  of  this  affair  runs  as  follows : 

"Upon  approaching  the  bridge  leading  across  (the  creek)  they 
(our  men)  were  fired  upon  by  the  rebels  (without  sustaining  any 
damage)  who  had  a  battery  masked  by  a  breastwork  or  fort  of 
shingles.  The  Seventeenth  charged  across  the  bridge  in  fine  style 
(the  bridge  was  a  lightly  built  one)  and  swayed  and  shook  under  the 
combined  weight  of  sixty  men  in  such  a  manner  as  to  lead  to  the 
belief  that  it  would  break  down — but  it  didn't,  but  upon  crossing 
they  found  the  enemy  had  flown. 

"  Three  companies  went  up  the  road  in  pursuit  some  distance, 
but  the  rebels  were  nowhere  to  be  found.  The  regiment  halted 
near  a  dwelling-house  when  some  of  the  men  went  into  an  adjoining 
negro  hut,  where  a  pot  of  meat  and  cabbage  was  in  process  of 
being  cooked,  which  they  proceeded  to  confiscate;  but  just  as  they 
had  commenced  their  feast,  an  officer  came  and  drove  them  off, 
saying:  'Dom  thee,  did  thee  coom  here  to  ploonder?'  At  the 
same  time,  it  was  asserted,  though  I  don't  believe  it,  that  the  officer 
who  thus  drove  them  from  the  feast  had  his  pockets  filled  with 
'  ploonder.' 

"Three  prisoners  were  taken;  one  of  them  a  lad  about  sixteen 
years  old  was  thus  interrogated  by  the  Major  (Frankle) : 
'What  for  you  be  guerrilla?' 

"  'I'm  not  a  guerrilla,  sir;  I'm  in  the  regular  Confederate  ser 
vice?' 

:  'What  for  you  lay  in  ambush,  then?' 

:  T  didn't  lay  in  ambush,  sir;  I  was  standing  behind  a  tree.' 

'Ha,  you  be  one  rascally  guerrilla,  and  we  will  string  you  up 
to  a  tree  when  we  arrive  in  Newbern.' 

"But  it  is  needless  to  say  this  threat  was  not  carried  out.' ' 


134  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

STORY  OF  MRS.  CLEAVE. 

Mrs.  Cleave's  conversion,  which  had  its  inception  later  in 
the  season  of  that  year  (1862),  is  related  by  Colonel  (then  captain) 
Splaine,  who  commanded  Company  A  of  the  Seventeenth  at  the 
time,  and  is  as  follows : 

During  the  second  expedition  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  to 
Swift  Creek  (in  August,  1862),  Captain  Splaine  found  that  his 
company  was  entirely  out  of  rations,  and,  as  he  was  opposed  to 
pilfering  or  borrowing  from  the  natives,  he  decided  to  report  the 
matter  to  Colonel  Fellows,  then  in  command  of  that  regiment. 
The  colonel  instructed  the  captain  to  take  a  few  men  with  him  and 
seize  supplies  for  his  company,  but  only  to  take  from  people  who 
apparently  had  some  to  spare.  The  captain  learned  from  some  intel 
ligent  colored  people  that  a  Mrs.  Cleave  had  enough  and  to  spare. 

Acting  upon  this  information,  the  captain,  with  a  few  men, 
visited  the  home  of  the  good  lady,  and  made  known  his  wants. 
He  told  her  he  would  give  her  a  receipt  for  the  goods,  and  would 
make  the  price  so  liberal  that  she  could  well  afford  to  go  to  Ncw- 
bern  and  draw  the  money  from  the  chief  quarter-master. 

Mrs.  Cleave  was  not  pleased  at  the  captain's  visit  or  his  pro 
position.  On  the  contrary,  she  was  mad  "  clean  through,"  and 
called  him  and  his  men  "Yankee  thieves  and  robbers,"  and  added 
that  if  she  had  three  hundred  men,  each  as  good  as  herself,  she 
could  whip  the  whole  Seventeenth  Regiment  before  breakfast. 
The  captain  finding  the  lady  defiant  and  non-compliant,  proceeded 
to  the  storehouse  and  took  what  he  wanted.  Then  he  placed  a 
liberal  value  on  them,  for  which  he  gave  her  a  receipt,  which  was 
scoffed  at,  Mrs.  Cleave  averring  that  it  was  only  "  a  Yankee  trick/ ' 
and  she  would  never  get  a  cent  for  her  provisions.  But  the  captain 
pledged  his  word  of  honor  that  the  paper  was  as  good  as  gold,  and 
added,  "If  the  quartermaster  refuses  my  receipt  I  will  myself  pay 
you  the  next  time  we  come  to  Swift  Creek.' ' 

The  captain  noticed  that  Mrs.  Cleave  had  a  sick  child  about 
three  years  old,  and  said:  "As  there  is  no  physician  of  your  own 
people  in  town,  I  will  bring  the  surgeon  of  my  regiment  to  see  the 
child,  and  he  will  prescribe  and  give  you  medicine  for  it."  She 


AT   THE   FRONT.  135 

said  she  wanted  none  of  his  doctors  or  their  medicine,  and  that  all 
the  Yankees  were  cowards  and  thieves.  The  captain,  however, 
brought  the  doctor,  who  prescribed  for  the  child,  and  left  with  the 
mother  medicine  enough  to  last  through  the  little  one's  sickness. 
When  about  to  leave  the  house,  Mrs.  Cleave  said:  "Why  don't 
you  people  go  up  to  Kinston,  where  you  will  get  all  the  fighting  you 
want?"  She  added  that  her  husband  was  up  there  and  would 
help  to  give  the  Yankees  a  warm  reception. 

The  captain  asked  her  husband's  address,  and  promised  her 
that  he  would  call  upon  him  when  he  reached  Kinston,  which  he 
hoped  to  do  some  day.  She  replied,  "My  husband  keeps  a  tobacco 

warehouse  on Street,  but  you  will  never  get  any  of  his  tobacco, 

and  will  never  go  into  Kinston  alive,  except  as  a  prisoner  of  war.'  '- 
"Time  will  tell,' '  replied  the  captain. 

The  fourteenth  day  of  the  following  December  the  battle  of 
Kinston  was  fought,  and  after  Kinston  was  taken,  true  to  his  prom 
ise,  the  captain  called  at  the  warehouse  of  Mr.  Cleave  (who,  how 
ever,  was  not  there  to  welcome  him),  with  a  squad  of  his  men. 
They  found  that  Cleave,  relying  upon  the  defeat  of  the  Yankees, 
did  not  begin  in  time  to  carry  off  all  of  his  tobacco,  and  of  course, 
the  boys  sampled  the  goods;  and  it  is  fair  to  assume  that  the  boys 
of  other  companies — and  regiments,  too — did  about  the  same  thing. 
In  other  words,  the  Cleave  tobacco  warehouse  was  minus  its  stock 
of  weed  the  following  morning. 

Captain  Splaine,  not  finding  Mr.  Cleave  at  his  place  of  busi 
ness,  left  word  with  some  of  the  neighbors  to  give  his  compliments 
to  that  gentleman,  and  to  say  that  in  visiting  his  warehouse  he  was 
only  keeping  his  promise  to  Mrs.  Cleave  that  he  would  call  upon 
her  husband  when  he  visited  Kinston. 

During  the  following  summer,  the  regiment  again  made  an 
expedition  to  Swift  Creek,  and  after  wiping  out  Captain  White's 
shingle  battery,  entered  the  town  and  settled  down  for  a  few  day's 
rest.  W'hile  Captain  Splaine  was  resting  in  the  shade  of  a  tree,  one 
of  his  sergeants,  followed  by  a  young  negro,  came  up  and  reported 
that  the  black  man  wished  to  speak  with  him.  The  captain  said, 
"Well,  young  man,  what  can  I  do  for  you?"- — "Is  you  Massa 
Splain?"  Upon  being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  the  colored 


136  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

boy  said  that  his  "Missus"  had  sent  her  " complemts' 7  to  the 
captain  and  requested  him  to  call  upon  her.  The  captain  inquired 
who  the  lady  was,  and  to  his  surprise  the  boy  told  him  it  was 
Mrs.  Cleave.  "Well,  well/7  he  said,  "I  had  forgotten.  Does 
Mrs.  Cleave  reside  here  now?" — "Yes,  Massa,"  answered  the  boy. 
Looking  at  the  boy,  the  captain  asked:  "Is  the  madam  angry 
with  me?"  To  which  the  messenger  laughingly  replied,  "Oh, 
no,  massa;  but  I  reckon  she  wants  to  see  you  right  bad.' ' 

Captain  Splaine  made  his  way  to  Mrs.  Cleave's  mansion.  On 
seeing  him  approach,  she  came  out  on  the  piazza,  and.  much  to 
his  surprise,  greeted  him  warmly  and  welcomed  him  to  her  house. 
She  said : 

"Captain  Splaine,  you  are  a  gentleman,  a  man  of  honor,  and 
I  think  a  man  who  never  breaks  his  word.' ' 

Puzzled  at  the  change  in  the  lady's  manner  and  her  nattering 
language,  the  captain  inquired  as  to  what  it  all  meant. 

"Well,  sir,"  she  said,  "When  you  were  here  a  year  ago,  I 
supposed  you  were  a  pack  of  cowards  and  thieves.  You  seized 
my  supplies,  and  gave  a  receipt  which  I  regarded  as  worthless,  but 
when  I  presented  it  to  the  chief  quartermaster  at  Newbern,  I 
received  a  liberal  compensation  and  in  good  money.  Your  doctor 
treated  my  child  and  left  medicine  for  it.  The  child  recovered  and 
has  not  been  sick  since.  You  promised  to  visit  my  husband  at 
Kinston  and  sample  his  tobacco,  and  in  this  you  kept  your  word, 
too.  If  you  promised  to  go  to  Richmond  and  call  upon  President 
Davis,  I  feel  that  somehow  or  other  you  would  keep  your  word." 

To  this  last  compliment,  the  colonel  naively  replied,  "Rest 
assured,  madam,  that  I  am  constantly  praying  for  the  opportunity 
of  doing  so." 

She  continued,  "I  thank  you,  captain,  for  all  you  have  done 
for  me,  and  I  thank  you  for  calling  upon  my  husband,  even  if  you 
did  sample  his  tobacco;  and  now  I  want  you  to  do  me  a  favor." 
The  captain  promised,  provided  that  the  favor  would  not  imply 
dishonor  or  treason  to  his  flag. 

"No, sir,"  she  said,  "You  could  not  be  guilty  of  either.  The 
favor  I  ask  is  that  you  bring  a  few  of  your  officers  to  dine  with  me 
today." 


Qw.  MASTER  ROBERT  HARRIS. 


LIEUT.  JAMES  MOROXEY. 


LIEUT.  EZEKIEL  F.  MANX. 


MICHAEL  WELCH,  Co.  "K. 


AT   THE   FRONT.  137 

The  captain  remonstrated,  and  said,  "As  you  have  been  sit 
uated  of  late  you  cannot  have  much  good  money  to  spend  for  such 
entertainment."  But  he  added,  "If  you  are  set  on  giving  us  a 
dinner,  have  your  servants  get  us  up  a  nice  little  meal  for  four  of  us, 
and  I  will  pay  them  liberally  for  it.' ' 

"  No,  sir/ '  she  said,  "  You  dine  with  me  or  we  will  fight  again.' ' 
The  captain  seeing  that  discretion  was  the  better  part  of  valor, 
surrendered  to  Mrs.  Cleave,  accepted  her  invitation,  and  he,  with 
Colonel  Fellows,  Doctor  Hines  and  Adjutant  Cheever,  dined  with 
her  that  day,  and  were  royally  entertained  during  the  afternoon. 
She  now  came  to  look  upon  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  and  its 
officers  as  her  friends. 

During  the  conversation  of  the  afternoon,  she  remarked  that 
the  war  was  a  cruel  thing,  and  regretted  that  some  means  could 
not  have  been  employed  to  prevent  the  outbreak  of  hostilities,  and 
intimated  that  if  all  the  people,  or  a  majority  of  them  knew  the 
Yankees  as  well  as  she  did,  there  would  never  have  been  any  war. 
When  the  officers  bade  her  good-bye,  she  said: 

"  Gentlemen,  if  you  ever  come  to  Swift  Creek  again,  I  hope 
you  will  honor  me  with  a  call.' ' 

Mrs.  Cleave  was  a  woman  of  strong  characteristics , — -strong 
in  her  likes  and  dislikes,  and  strong  in  her  love  for  her  southern  land. 
Who  could  blame  her? 

Here  is  another  incident  of  a  Swift  Creek  raid,  which  may  not 
be  out  of  place  in  the  present  connection:  (I  quote  from  " Soldier 
ing  in  North  Carolina' '  again) : 

"August  23d  (1862),  six  companies  of  the  Seventeenth  went 
to  Swift  Creek  again,  accompanied  by  a  section  of  the  New  Y^ork 
Marine  Artillery  and  four  boat  howitzers.  Lieut-Colonel  Fellows, 
who  had  command  of  the  expedition,  having  missed  the  boat  that 
conveyed  the  regiment  and  artillery  across  the  river,  to  the  com 
mand  devolved  upon  the  major,  who  marched  them  about  a  mile 
from  the  landing,  and  halted  to  await  the  colonel's  coming. 

"The  column  halted  opposite  a  dwelling,  and,  as  is  often  the 
case  under  like  circumstances,  there  was  a  rush  for  the  well  to  fill 
canteens.  Two  of  the  men,  however,  strayed  into  a  field,  and  were 
making  a  flank  movement  upon  a  pile  of  tumble-down  log  out- 


138  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

buildings,  supposed  to  abound  in  hens,  chickens,  eggs,  etc.  One  of 
the  men,  a  very  tall  and  large  specimen  of  humanity,  was  named 
Oilman;  the  other  was  a  small  man  named  Bill  Collins. 

"The  valiant  major  detected  this  unauthorized  affair,  and 
being  determined  to  put  a  stop  to  all  such  imniilitary  proceedings, 
sang  out : 

"  'What  for  you  stray  off  that  way?  Come  back,  1  say  to  you ! 
Doubel  quick !'  (The  major  had  not  then  fully  mastered  the  pro 
nunciation  of  English  and  his  enunciation  was  amusingly  peculiar.) 

"The  little  man  obeyed,  and  came  back  at  a  dog  trot.  Oil 
man,  however,  hastened  back  slowly — at  much  too  slow  a  gait  to 
suit  his  impatient  superior,  who  yelled  out  again: 

'  'Doubel  quick!— I  say— Dou-Bel  quick!' 

"But  no  faster  came  Oilman  on,  and  the  major,  who  was  a 
little  (or  rather  medium-sized)  man,  rushed  to  him,  and  seizing 
him  by  the  coat  collar,  as  he  was  crossing  a  fence,  dragged  him  over; 
then  drawing  his  sword,  and  flourishing  it  about  the  head  of  the 
still  doggedly  defiant  Oilman,  said, 

'You  think  because  I  am  small,  I  be  afraid  of  you?  I  will 
let  you  know.  Dou-bel  quick,  now,  or  I  will  make  two  Gilmans  of 
you!' 

"  I'm  on  guard,  sir.'"   *********** 

"When  the  expedition  arrived  at  the  bridge  over  Swift  Creek 
it  was  evening.  Our  cavalry,  which  had  preceded  them,  were 
bivouacked  on  the  other  side,  and  our  men  at  first  took  them  to  be 
rebels,  but  were  soon  undeceived. 

"There  was  a  storehouse  in  the  village  of  Swift  Creek,  contain 
ing  a  variety  of  articles  in  the  dry  goods,  grocery  and  merchandise 
lines.  Some  of  the  boys  smelt  the  plunder,  and  proceeded  to  con 
fiscate.  The  wife  of  the  owner  of  the  store,  suspecting  what  was 
going  on,  went  to  Colonel  Fellows  and  told  him  the  men  were 
breaking  in,  and  he  immediately  repaired  to  the  scene  of  operations, 
to  put  a  stop  to  such  work.  A  member  of  Company  K,  who  had 
been  left  on  the  watch,  gave  warning  of  the  colonel's  approach,  and 
the  raiders  fled. 

"  '  What  ho,  there!— What  does  all  this  mean?  What  are 
you  doing  here?'  (To  the  man) . 


AT    THE    FRONT.  139 

"  'I'm  on  guard,  sir.' 

"  'All  right,  madam/  said  the  colonel,  'you  see  there  is  a, 
guard  on.' 

"What  plunder  the  boys  obtained  it  would  be  needless  to  state. 

"The  expedition  returned  to  Newbern,  burning  the  bridge 
after  them." 


A  LAUGHABLE  EXPERIENCE  OF  THE  HISTORIAN. 

In  the  autumn  of  1862,  Company  K  of  the  Seventeenth  was 
on  picket  duty  at  Evans'  Mills,  some  six  miles  south  of  Newbern. 
The  duty  there  was  not  arduous,  and  as  the  rebels  did  not  trouble 
us  much, — though  a  vigilant  watch  against  surprise  was  always 
maintained, — the  boys  of  Company  K  had  a  good  time  of  it,  and 
had  liberal  treatment  in  the  matter  of  passes  to  the  city. 

One  day,  on  my  return  to  camp  from  Newbern,  where  I  had 
been  on  pass — feeling  well  and  lighthearted — I  encountered  an 
adventure  which  may  be  worth  telling  for  its  oddity,  if  for  no  other 
reason. 

I  had  just  come  into  the  clearing  of  the  plantation,  when  I 
saw  on  the  road  approaching  me,  a  negro  boy — a  chap  about 
twenty  or  twenty-five  years  of  age — having  on  his  head  an  almost 
rimless  hat.  As  he  approached,  I  recognized  what  might  be  called 
a  character.  His  clothing,  like  his  hat,  was  a  reminder  rather 
than  the  actual  thing,  in  sartorial  equipment.  But  it  was  not  the 
makeup  of  the  darkey  that  attracted  me  as  he  came  closer.  It  was 
the  face  of  this  colored  nondescript,  which  was  distorted  or  illumi 
nated  with  the  most  comical  expression  of  internal  fun  and  merri 
ment  I  had  ever  seen.  So  comical  did  it  then  seem  to  me  that  I 
could  not  refrain  from  laughing  outright  as  the  boy  came  close 
to  me.  This  seemed  to  be  a  signal  for  him  to  let  loose  an  almost 
irrepressible  series  of  "yah-yahs"  and  yells,  which  only  a  donkey 
can  excel  in. 

While  this  outburst  greatly  excited  my  risibles,  I  was  not 
carried  away  by  it,  but  simulated  the  yell-laughter  of  my  opponent, 
and  yelled  and  ki-yied  in  chorus  with  him  to  beat  the  band.  I  sat 


140  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

down  on  the  side  of  the  road  to  enjoy  the  fun,  and  the  darkey  laid 
down  in  the  sandy  road  and  rolled  around  and  laughed  in  a  con 
tinuous  paroxysm  of  yelling  laughter.  The  more  he  laughed,  the 
more  I  laughed,  and  the  more  I  laughed  the  more  frantic  became 
his  shouts  and  yells.  I  soon  realized,  however,  that  with  me,  at 
least,  the  laughter  had  assumed  a  form  of  hysteria,  and  that  my 
best  safety  was  in  immediate  flight. 

I  got  onto  my  feet,  still  laughing,  and  turned  my  back  on  the 
writhing,  wriggling,  yelling,  shrieking  darkey  in  the  road.  I  did 
not  dare  to  look  back,  but  I  could  hear  his  yells  and  shrieks  for 
half  a  mile.  Not  a  single  word  was  exchanged  between  us;  it  wras 
laugh  answering  laugh.  I  wondered  if  the  poor  boy  survived.  As 
for  me,  the  muscles  of  my  chest  were  so  sore  for  many  days  that  if  I 
even  tried  to  clear  my  throat  it  produced  an  agony  almost  un 
bearable. 


PLYMOUTH  AND  TARBORO  EXPEDITION. 

On  August  31,  1862,  General  Foster,  in  command  of  quite 
an  army,  of  which  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  was  a  part, 
started  from  Newbern,  and  marched  to  Washington,  N.  C.  There 
was  some  light  skirmishing  on  the  way,  the  losses  on  both  sides 
being  light.  After  resting  at  Washington,  the  army  pushed  on, 
going  through  Plymouth,  Jamestown  and  Hamilton,  evidently 
heading  for  the  Welden  Railroad,  with  the  intention  of  destroying 
the  road,  and  thus  interrupt  traffic,  and  cut  off  supplies  to  Lee's 
army. 

The  light  resistance  offered  by  the  enemy  meant  that  at  a 
point  many  miles  in  their  rear  their  forces  were  being  concentrated 
for  the  purpose  of  giving  stubborn  battle  to  Foster's  command, 
and  prevent  the  destruction  of  any  of  the  main  arteries  of  supply. 
Finally,  Foster  found  himself  confronted  by  a  large  body  of  the 
enemy,  which  compelled  the  utmost  caution,  and  it  looked  probable 
that  the  forces  would  clash  at  any  moment. 

On  the  evening  of  the  8th,  Foster  selected  not  only  a  camp,  but 
also  a  battle  ground,  threw  out  pickets  and  skirmishers,  looked  the 


AT   THE   FRONT.  141 

field  over  carefully,  instructed  his  officers  what  to  expect  under 
certain  circumstances,  and  then  laid  clown  with  his  troops  to  rest 
for  the  night.  There  wasn't  much  sleep,  however,  for  any  one. 
for  there  came  upon  the  troops  one  of  the  heaviest  rainstorms  ever 
known  in  that  rainy  region.  Such  a  soaking  did  it  give,  that  next 
morning  the  muskets  of  the  men  were  almost  useless.  It  is  safe 
to  say  that  of  the  twelve  thousand  muskets  in  the  expedition 
there  were  not  a  thousand  that  were  serviceable. 

The  troops  had  slept  or  lain  in  as  much  water  as  on  land  during 
the  night,  and  General  Foster,  as  soon  as  he  was  informed  of  the 
actual  situation  ordered  a  hasty  retreat,  even  forbidding  the 
making  of  fires  for  cooking  or  any  other  purpose,  so  that  the  enemy 
would  not  readily  trace  his  line  of  retreat  by  the  smoke.  Hard 
marching  was  persisted  in  until  the  command  was  considered  safely 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  enemy. 

The  expedition  entered  Plymouth  two  days  afterwards,  where, 
after  a  much  needed  rest,  water  transport  was  taken  for  Ne  \vbern. 
The  expedition  was  a  trying  one,  the  marching  heavy,  the  weather 
bad,  and  all  in  all,  the  troops  suffered  a  good  deal  without  having 
accomplished  anything  worth  mentioning. 


THE  GOLDSBORO  EXPEDITION. 


BATTLES  OF  KINSTON,  WHITEHALL  AXD  GOLDSBORO. 

From  services  of  a  peculiarly  local  character  in  North  Carolina, 
in  and  around  the  city  of  Newbern,  and  taking  part  in  expeditions 
to  various  points  in  that  state,  either  alone  or  in  conjunction  with 
other  military  organizations,  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Vol 
unteer  Infantry  was,  in  December,  1862,  called  upon  to  participate 
in  one  of  the  most  considerable  military  demonstrations  yet  made 
in  North  Carolina,  which  had  for  its  object  the  destruction  of  rail 
way  communication  between  the  extreme  southern  states  and  Vir- 


142  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

ginia  by  the  coast-wise  system  of  railway,  the  most  important  line 
of  transportation  in  that  section  of  the  Confederacy. 

This  was  to  be  effected  by  the  burning  of  the  railway  bridge 
across  the  Neuse  River,  near  Goldsboro  and  the  destruction  of  the 
track  of  the  Wilmington  &  Welden  Railroad,  some  seventy  miles 
above  the  city  of  Newbern.  The  movement  was  made  in  connec 
tion  with  the  military  operations  in  Virginia,  where  General  Burn- 
side  was  in  command  of  the  Union  forces  in  front  of  Fredericksburg, 
and  active  hostilities  had  already  begun. 

SHORT  RATIONS. 

Although  the  best  possible  preparations  may  be  made  to 
supply  an  army  with  food  during  an  active  campaign,  yet  there 
are  times  when  unforseen  circumstances  occur  which  upset  the 
best  laid  plans,  often  resulting  in  shortage  of  supplies  and  conse 
quent  suffering,  hunger  and  many  other  discomforts.  Such  a  con 
dition  of  affairs  occurred  during  the  early  part  of  General  Foster's 
campaign  of  the  Goldsboro  Expedition. 

The  distances  from  Newbern  to  Kjnston,  N.  C.,  being  only 
thirty-five  miles,  and  the  little  army  moving  by  slow  stages,  it  was 
not  expected  that  any  one  would  go  hungry,  as  the  men  were  sup 
plied  with  one  day's  rations,  and  the  presumption  being  that  they 
would  be  in  touch  at  all  times  with  the  supply  train  which  accom 
panied  the  troops. 

Things  went  all  right  during  the  first  day's  march,  but  on  the 
second  day  no  rations  were  forthcoming,  and  the  little  army  moved 
along,  skirmishing  and  joking,  without  a  bite  to  eat.  On  the 
following  morning,  there  being  no  rations,  and  as  word  had  come 
that  the  wagons  were  stuck  in  the  mud  several  miles  behind,  Cap 
tain  Splaine,  ever  watchful  for  the  welfare  of  his  company,  deter 
mined  that  his  men  at  least  should  have  something  to  eat  before 
going  to  sleep  the  coming  night,  and,  acting  upon  that  idea,  he 
detailed  A.  Park  Lewis  of  Company  A,  gave  him  an  order  on  the 
quartermaster  for  a  box  of  hard  bread,  some  coffee  and  sugar,  and 
also  handing  him  his  pistol,  instructed  the  soldier  to  go  back  until 


AT  THE    FRONT.  143 

he  found  the  army  supply  wagon,  and  bring  the  goods  up  to  the 
company.     Lewis  hesitated  a  moment,  and  then  inquired : 

"  How  can  I  bring  all  that  stuff?' ' 

To  this  the  captain  replied  by  instructing  the  soldier  to  cap 
ture  two  "  contrabands' '  make  a  handbarrow  of  the  box  by  cutting 
two  strong  poles  and  binding  them  to  the  box  with  withes,  and 
then  by  keeping  up  a  good  gait,  it  would  be  only  a  question  of  time 
when  the  much-longed-for  hard  tack  would  be  at  the  disposal  of 
his  hungry  men.  Lewis,  who  was  a  sturdy,  brave  young  man, 
readily  understood  his  captain's  orders,  and  started  at  once  to  obey 
them. 

After  Lewis  had  gone,  the  captain  feeling  mighty  hungry,  gave 
to  Charley  Keyes,  another  of  the  men  of  Company  A,  a  five-dollar 
bill,  told  him  to  go  around  to  the  men  of  the  different  regiments, 
and  buy  some  hard  bread,  adding,  "If  you  can't  do  any  better, 
give  the  five  dollars  for  three  hard  breads.' ' 

Keyes  was  absent  about  an  hour,  and  upon  his  return  reported 
that  he  couldn't  get  a  bite  of  any  thing  for  love  or  money.  The 
captain  thanked  the  soldier,  though  he  felt  both  hungry  and  gloomy 
but,  true  to  the  old  adage  that  "every  cloud  has  a  silver  lining," 
he  soon  realized  a  relief  which  was  as  welcome  as  it  was  unexpected. 

Captain  McNamara's  boy  (John  Lynch),  appeared  on  the 
scene,  and  asked  if  he  had  seen  Lieutenant  Splaine  (the  cap 
tain's  brother)  that  morning.  The  captain  said  that  he  had  not, 
and  Lynch  remarked  that  as  he  had  been  unable  to  find  him,  he 
thought  it  might  be  best  to  offer  the  breakfast  he  had  prepared 
for  him  to  Captain  Splaine.  The  captain  remonstrated  with  Lynch, 
saying :  "Keep  it,  and  no  doubt  the  lieutenant  will  soon  appear.' ' 
But  Lynch,  evidently  liking  the  captain  better  than  the  captain's 
brother,  insisted  that  he  should  have  the  food  prepared  for  that 
officer.  Hunger  is  a  great  persuader,  and  thinking  that  perhaps 
his  brother  had  secured  something  to  eat  somewhere,  the  captain 
ate  the  proffered  food. 

In  the  meantime  the  lieutenant  Splaine  asked  his  captain 
(McNamara)  if  there  was  anything  to  eat.  The  captain  said 
there  was,  and  that  Lynch  had  gone  looking  for  him,  and  had  taken 
the  food  with  him.  The  lieutenant  went  skirmishing  after  Lynch, 


144  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

to  get  his  breakfast,  being  hungry  as  a  bear.  He  found  his  servant 
talking  with  Captain  Splaine,  and  asked  for  his  breakfast.  Poor 
Lynch  looked  confused,  and  afraid,  too;  but  after  waiting  awhile, 
made  answer  that  he  had  given  it  to  the  lieutenant's  betters.  "  My 
betters.  Who  are  my  betters?" — "Your  brother,  the  captain," 
replied  the  man. 

At  this  stage  the  lieutenant  looked  wild,  and  acted  as  though 
he  wanted  to  strangle  poor  Lynch.  But  the  captain  now  broke  in 
and  reminded  his  brother  that  the  soldier  had  done  his  best  to  find 
him,  and  thinking  that  maybe  he  had  joined  some  other  officers 
who  happened  to  have  something  to  eat,  thought  it  best  to  relieve 
the  sufferings  of  his  officer's  brother. 

"Your  betters"  was  justified  by  the  explanation  that  a  cap 
tain  (to  the  man)  was  better  than  a  lieutenant,  and  therefore  should 
have  the  precedence  in  the  matter  of  breakfast,  when  there  was 
only  one  breakfast  for  two. 

This  comical  explanation  somewhat  mollified  the  lieutenant's 
temper,  if  it  did  not  allay  his  hunger. 

About  this  time  the  order  to  fall  in  came  down  the  line,  and 
soon  after  "Forward,  march !"  If  a  well-fed  citizen  of  Massachu 
setts  had  seen  those  gallant  fellows  swing  along,  joking  and  laugh 
ing,  or  singing  "John  Brown's  Body  Lies  Mouldering  in  the  Grave," 
he  would  not  suspect  that  ninety  percent  of  them  were  at  that 
moment  feeling  the  pangs  of  hunger.  Such  was  the  stuff  that  the 
boys  in  blue  were  made  of.  Such  men  are  capable  of  overcoming 
all  obstacles  in  war  as  in  peace. 

Well,  the  little  army  moved  on  and  covered  seventeen  miles 
that  day.  Park  Lewis  and  his  contraband  train  had  marched 
back  eight  miles  to  the  quartermaster's  resting-place  in  the  mud, 
then  marched  up  again  eight  miles,  and  then  had  to  march  seven 
teen  miles  more  before  catching  up  with  Company  A,  making 
thirty-three  miles  of  marching  that  day.  He  and  his  contrabands 
were  cheered  to  the  echo  when  they  appeared.  No  conquerer 
could  have  been  given  a  more  hearty  reception  and  praise  than  was 
bestowed  on  Lewis  and  his  supply  train . 

Quickly  the  box  was  opened,  and  in  order  that  the  greatest 
good  to  the  greatest  number  should  be  secured,  the  captain  care- 


AT   THE    FRONT.  145 

fully  counted  the  hard  breads,  finding  just  612  in  the  box.  Each 
man  of  Company  A  got  a  fair  share  of  the  bread,  sugar  and  coffee, 
and  then  the  captain  sent  some  supplies  to  regimental  headquarters 
some  to  the  regimental  hospital,  a  few  to  each  of  the  the  company 
officers,  and  last,  but  not  least,  he  sent  some  to  John  Lynch,  who  so 
kindly  gave  that  breakfast  to  him  in  the  morning.  It  is  safe  to 
say  that  Company  A  was  the  happiest  company  in  that  little  army 
that  night. 

Progress  was  slow  on  account  of  the  road  being  blockaded  by 
trees  felled  across  it  by  the  enemy,  the  line  having  to  halt  while  the 
pioneers  removed  them.  On  the  third  day  the  line  of  march  was 
resumed  towards  Kinston  at  7:30  A.  M.,  the  men  eager  for  the  en 
counter,  though  rations  had  given  out,  owing  to  the  non-arrival 
of  the  supply  train,  which  was  delayed  by  muddy  roads,  over 
which  the  artillery  and  ammunition  wagons  were  given  the  prece 
dence. 

About  11:30,  the  battle  of  South  West  Creek  was  invited  by 
our  artillery,  they  shelled  the  woods  where  the  rebels  were  known 
to  be  in  force,  but  drew  no  response  from  the  latter.  The  regi 
ments,  as  they  arrived,  were  placed  in  position  for  the  battle  that 
seemed  inevitable  on  the  following  day,  which  was  Sunday.  The 
supply  train  having  arrived  in  the  meantime,  rations  of  hard 
bread  and  coffee  were  issued  to  the  men,  who  bivouacked  there  for 
the  night. 


THE  GOLDSBORO  EXPEDITION. 
(As  DESCRIBED  BY  A  PRIVATE  IN  THE  RANKS.) 

In  "Soldiering  in  North  Carolina,"  written  and  published  by 
the  editor  of  this  memorial  history,  there  is  an  account  of  the  Golds- 
boro  Expedition,  which  has  perhaps  variety  enough  to  make  it 
admissable  for  publication  in  the  present  connection.  This  book 
was  written  at  a  time  when  the  events,  scenes  and  incidents  por 
trayed  were  still  vividly  fresh  in  the  memory  of  the  author,  who, 
like  Captain  Moore,  was  in  the  habit  of  making  notes  of  passing 
events  and  happenings.  At  the  time  of  the  expedition,  it  may  be 


146  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

stated,   the   Seventeenth  was   doing  provost   duty  in  Xewbern. 
Extracts  only  are  given. 

LEAVING  NEWBERN. 

"  At  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  December  11, 
1862,  we  were  awakened  by  the  bugle  call,  and  after  a  hasty  meal, 
formed  in  the  yard  of  our  (Company  K's)  quarters,  and  proceeded 
to  the  place  of  rendezvous  for  the  regiment  on  -  —  Street.  A 
gray,  frosty  mist  enveloped  the  city,  which  was  alive  with  march 
ing  men, — horse,  foot,  artillery  and  forage  and  ambulance  trains. 

"As  early  as  was  the  hour,  however,  the  whole  population — - 
especially  the  negro  portion — were  abroad  in  the  streets,  and  many 
fervent  prayers  and  good  wishes  for  our  success  were  showered 
upon  us  by  the  poor  negro  women  as  we  passed  along.  'Oh,' 
exclaimed  one,  'I  know  de  Lord,  am  walking  alongside  ob  you, 
and  you  will  best  de  rebs,  I  knows — I  knows!'  —  'Aunty,'  sang  out 
a  soldier  in  the  ranks,  '  If  I  don't  come  back,  you'll  never  get  paid 
for  them  clothes  you  washed  for  me.'  -  -  'Nebber  mind  de  do's, 
honey,'  exclaimed  the  generous  old  woman,  and  then  changing 
her  tone, .she  continued,  'Oh,  Lord! — de  Lord! — Oh,  good  Lord! 
Nebber  come  back! — Oh,  de  poor  sojer!  Lord  help  de  poor  sojer! — 
Amen  for  de  poor  sojer!  Amen!  Glory!'  We  halted  on  the  Trent 
road  just  beyond  Fort  Totten,  and  awaited  the  movement  of  the 
various  bodies  of  troops  that  were  to  precede  us.  The  morning- 
broke  clear  and  cool,  and  beheld  a  fine  array  of  infantry,  with  their 
polished  arms,  cavalry  and  artillery,  taking  up  their  line  of  march, 
with  an  elasticity  of  step,  and  a  merry  hum  of  voices  that  unmis 
takably  showed  how  high  the  spirits  and  expectations  of  all  were 
aroused,  and  that  it  required  only  an  able  general  to  lead  such 
an  army  from  victory  to  victory. 

"As  we  advanced  into  the  country,  the  evidences  of  former 
strife  everywhere  met  the  eye,  in  the  deserted  plantations,  houses 
burned  to  the  ground  or  partially  destroyed,  and  an  air  of  ruin  and 
desolation  pervading  all. 

"After  a  tedious,  plodding  march  of  about  fourteen  miles, 
the  army  bivouacked  for  the  night  on  a  plantation  which  seemed 
more  fortunate  than  many  others  we  passed.  But  its  time  had 


AT  THE   FRONT.  147 

come,  and  as  regiment  after  regiment  arrived  and  stacked  arms, 
it  was  a  curious  study  to  watch  the  rush  they  made  for  the  nearest 
fence,  the  eager  scramble  for  rails  and  the  disappearance  of  fences, 
as  if  by  magic.  As  night  darkened  over  the  scene,  the  countless 
bivouac  fires  rose  in  all  directions,  casting  a  lurid  glare  up  to  the 
sky,  and  forming  about  as  picturesque  a  scene  as  could  possibly  be 
imagined.  And  the  sound  of  voices  and  laughter,  the  neighing 
of  horses  and  unearthly  braying  of  mules,  all  combined  to  render 
that  (my  first)  bivouac  a  something  to  be  remembered.  Beyond 
where  we  encamped  Thursday  evening,  the  rebels,  having  notice 
of  our  approach,  blockaded  the  road  for  two  miles,  by  felling  trees 
across;  but  the  pioneers  set  about  removing  them  during  the  night, 
and  when  the  army  resumed  its  march  in  the  morning  the  way  was 
cleared,  and  wre  passed  on  'into  the  bowels  of  the  night.' 

"  About  10  A.  M.  on  Friday,  a  skirmish  occurred  near  Trenton, 
between  our  advance  guard  of  cavalry  and  some  rebel  cavalry  and 
infantry,  in  which  the  latter  were  routed,  with  the  loss  of  three  or 
four  killed  and  several  wounded  and  taken  prisoners.  Our  advance 
reached  Southwest  Creek  about  noon  on  Saturday,  and  the  enemy, 
about  two  thousand  strong,  were  posted  beyond  with  a  battery  com 
manding  the  road.  The  Ninth  New  Jersey  and  Morrison's  Bat 
tery  were  sent  forward  to  feel  their  position,  and  a  smart  cannonade 
of  some  two  hours'  duration  took  place,  when  the  Ninth  New  Jer 
sey  made  a  detour  through  the  woods  putting  the  rebels  to  flight. 
They  made  another  stand  about  four  miles  this  side  of  Kinston, 
when  the  same  force  pushed  after  them,  and  engaged  them  for 
about  half  an  hour,  when  the  rebels  again  fell  back."  ****** 

BATTLE  OF  KINSTON. 

"On  Sunday  morning,  the  14th,  we  resumed  our  march  on 
Kinston.  From  the  place  where  we  had  encamped,  the  road  wound 
through  low,  swampy  ground  for  about  two  miles,  when  we  came 
out  upon  higher  land,  where  our  advance  (the  Ninth  New  Jersey 
and  Wessell's  Brigade)  had  bivouacked  for  the  night.  The  ad 
vance  was  already  in  motion,  and  our  regiment  followed.  In  the 
low  ground  of  Southwest  Creek,  we  saw  the  evidences  of  yesterday's 


148  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

strife — two  cannon  captured  and  a  few  dead  rebels.  When  we 
passed  the  lowlands,  we  saw  abundant  evidences  of  hasty  prepara 
tion  for  resisting  our  advance;  but  I  suppose,  as  a  very  considerable 
body — who  expected  us  on  the  other  road,  where  they  were  strongly 
entrenched — could  not  be  got  up  in  time,  General  Evans  thought 
it  prudent  to  abandon  them.  We  had  not  proceeded  far,  however, 
when  the  crack  of  musketry  told  us  that  our  advance  was  driving 
in  the  enemy's  pickets;  and  soon,  as  we  shortened  the  distance  be 
tween  us  and  the  scene  of  the  coming  battle,  the  more  regular  and 
deliberate  volleys  of  small  arms  announced  that  the  battle  had 
opened  in  earnest.  Soon  the  artillery  came  galloping  up,  and  took 
position  just  as  we  reached  the  wood  skirting  the  battle-field.  We 
were  halted  and  ordered  on  to  the  right  of  the  road  to  support  a 
battery.  The  enemy  were  advantageously  posted  in  a  swamp, 
and  on  a  rising  ground  beyond,  about  a  mile  from  the  bridge  lead 
ing  across  the  river  to  Kinston. 

"The  action,  which  was  commenced  by  our  advance  in  the 
morning,  was  sustained  with  vigor,  until  the  main  body  of  our 
forces  came  up,  when  the  battle  became  more  earnest  and  terrible, 
and  as  battery  after  battery  arrived  in  position,  and  opened  their 
fire  on  the  enemy,  the  ground  fairly  shook  with  their  repeated 
reverberations,  while  the  sharp  roll  of  musketry — whole  battalions 
delivering  their  fire  at  once — filled  up  the  intervals.  The  rebel 
position  was  well  chosen,  under  cover  of  dense  undergrowth  of 
wood,  their  foreground  protected  by  groves  of  pines,  which,  how 
ever,  offered  no  impediment  to  our  artillery,  which  mowed  them 
down  like  grass.  *  : 

"We  stood  a  few  minutes  in  the  position  we  had  first  taken,  the 
cannon  booming  away  like  thunder,  and  the  bullets  began  to  whiz 
athwart  our  line  quite  lively — hurting  nobody,  however,— when  the 
artillery  officer,  who  was  on  horseback  said,  'Here  they  come;  the 
devils  are  on  us!'  We  could  see  the  gleam  of  bayonets  at  the  edge 
of  the  wood,  and  fully  expected  a  charge.  Colonel  Fellows  ordered 
the  men  to  fall  back  a  few  yards  to  a  fence,  unsling  our  blankets 
and  fix  bayonets.  This  was  done,  and  we  awaited  with  anxiety  the 
onset  of  the  rebels.  ******* 


AT  THE  FRONT.  149 

"While  we  were  in  position  awaiting  the  onset  of  the  enemy, 
an  incident  occurred,  which  showed  how  severely  men  will  look 
upon  others  going  into  the  same  danger  they  are  in  themselves.  A 
negro  teamster  with  his  ammunition  cart,  was  ordered  forward  to 
supply  another  battery  on  our  right,  whose  caissons  were  running 
low  of  ammunition.  The  poor  fellow  thought  he  was  going  to  his 
death,  and  if  ever  mortal  fear  displayed  itself  upon  the  countenance 
of  any  human  being,  it  was  upon  that  poor  darkey's  face.  I  shall 
never  forget  the  wild  rolling  of  his  eyes,  nor  the  frenzied  and  agon 
ized  expression  of  his  face  as  he  hesitatingly  guided  his  team  in 
front  of  our  regiment,  urged  on  by  our  men  with  such  encouraging- 
remarks  as  'Go  it,  nig;  don't  be  afraid' — ' You're  a  gonner,  old 
darkey,' — 'good  bye ' — 'Won't  the  rebs  chew  him  up?'  etc. 

"  We  waited  sometime  for  the  rebels  to  appear,  but  they  came 
not.  In  the  meantime  the  battery  we  were  supporting  was  ripping 
up  the  woods  in  fine  style — at  every  discharge  cracking  off  the  pine- 
trees  as  if  they  had  been  pipe  stems.  At  length  an  order  came  for 
us  to  proceed  further  down  to  the  right,  where  the  Ninth  New  Jer 
sey  and  a  battery  had  preceded  us,  and  here  we  crossed  a  swamp 
and  turned  the  enemy's  left. 

"We  were  to  push  on,  but  our  lieutenant-colonel,  awaiting 
orders,  halted  us  in  a  clear  field  beyond  the  swamp,  and  ordered 
us  to  lie  down.  The  Ninth  New  Jersey  were  off  in  the  woods  to  our 
right,  and  when  I  first  beheld  them,  I  took  them  for  rebels.  From 
the  position  occupied,  we  could  see  the  long  line  of  entrenchments 
in  our  front,  but  we  did  not  suppose  a  river  intervened,  which  was 
the  case.  During  the  movements  just  recorded,  the  firing  had 
been  rapid  and  tremendous,  and  from  the  cheers  of  our  men  we 
could  clearly  infer  that  the  rebels  were  giving  way.  Then  was  the 
golden  opportunity  for  us — for,  had  we  advanced  as  we  did  after 
wards,  instead  of  taking  a  few  hundred  prisoners,  we  should  have 
captured  an  entire  brigade — but  it  was  lost.  *  *  *  * 

"Colonel  Amory  coming  up,  the  regiment  rose  like  one  man, 
and  on  the  order  being  given  to  forward  at  the  double  quick,  rushed 
down  with  a  yell.  As  we  neared  the  bridge,  we  beheld  a  rout — an 
almost  indescribable  body  of  men  running  for  their  lives.  All 
discipline  seemed  lost,  and  casting  aside  guns,  equipments  and 


150  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

clothing,  and  in  fact,  whatever  might  retard  their  flight,  they  fled 
like  a  herd  of  frightened  deer,  while  close  upon  their  heels  came  on 
the  charging  columns  of  our  men.  It  was  a  magnificent,  and  yet 
it  was  a  pitiable  sight.  As  intimated  before,  we  succeeded  in  bag 
ging  a  goodly  number,  but  the  bridge  being  set  on  fire,  we  were 
forced  to  give  over  the  pursuit  until  the  flames  were  extinguished. 

"While  lying  down  in  the  field,  I  observed  a  substantial  looking 
two-story  house  in  our  front,  and  near  the  bridge,  a  large  portion 
of  the  rear  of  which  had  been  shattered  by  a  shell  evidently  the  work 
of  the  enemy.  I  found  this  the  case  when  we  halted  near  the 
bridge,  from  which  position  I  could  observe  that  the  missile  had 
entered  the  roof  of  the  piazza,  gone  clear  through  the  house,  burst 
ing  as  it  was  penetrating  the  rear  wall,  and  making  the  havoc 
described.  Standing  upon  the  piazza,  the  picture  of  anguish  and 
despair,  were  two  women,  who  seemed  watching  the  rout  of  their 
army  with  a  terrible  and  heart-sick  interest,  perfectly  heedless  of 
the  missiles  of  death  flying  around  thick  and  fast.  Some  of  our 
officers,  taking  pity  on  the  poor  women,  and  solicitous  lest  the  ex 
posure  would  endanger  their  lives,  approached  and  advised  them 
to  retire  to  a  place  of  safety.  But  they  resolutely  refused  to  stir 
from  their  dangerous  position.  Doubtless  they  had  friends  near 
and  dear  to  them  in  the  flight,  and  anxiety  for  the  fate  of  the  loved 
ones  made  them  forget  the  natural  timidity  of  their  sex,  and  thus 
risk  their  lives. 

"The  brigade  of  General  Wessell's  opened  the  battle  in  fine 
style,  driving  in  the  rebel  advance,  and  alone  sustained  the  onset 
of  the  rebels,  until  the  brigades,  commanded  by  Colonels  Amory, 
Heckman  and  Stevenson,  got  into  position,  where  they  formed  the 
right  wing  of  our  line  of  battle, — Stevenson  and  Heckman  center 
and  Amory  the  right. 

"General  Evans  commanded  the  rebel  army,  which  consisted 
of  over  five  brigades  of  about  fifteen  thousand  men,  including  a 
brigade  of  home  guards  from  Raleigh.  Other  troops  were  from 
South  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Mississippi.  *  *  *  The  fire  of  the 
rebels  upon  our  attacking  columns  was  rapid  and  well-directed,  and 
did  great  havoc  among  them;  but  our  line  kept  steadily  though 
slowly,  (from  the  nature  of  the  ground,)  advancing  upon  them,  and 


AT  THE  FRONT.  151 

after  a  severe  contest  of  five  hours,  and  just  as  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  and  Ninth  New  Jersey  had  succeeded  in  turning  their 
left  flank,  an  impetuous  charge  was  made,  and  the  day  was  ours.  * 

"Men  were  detailed  to  put  out  the  fires  (on  the  bridge),  which 
had  been  kindled  by  the  retreating  rebels,  which  in  a  short  time  was 
accomplished,  and  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  crossed  over, 
followed  by  the  Ninth  New  Jersey;  and  here  I  had  an  opportunity 
of  seeing  some  of  the  most  terrible  evidences  of  human  strife. 
The  bridge  was  actually  paved  with  cast-off  arms  and  equipments, 
while  in  the  midst  of  where  some  of  the  fires  had  been,  I  beheld  one 
of  the  most  sickening  sights  that  ever  met  my  gaze.  Some  of  the 
poor  fellows  who  had  been  wounded  by  our  fire  on  the  retreat,  or 
been  trampled  down  in  the  rush  of  the  flying  host,  were  burnt  to 
cinders,  and  I  could  actually  see  the  fat  seething  and  boiling  in  the 
hollow  of  the  temple  of  one  of  the  charred  remains. 

"Upon  reaching  the  other  side  of  the  river  we  halted,  amid  a 
promiscuous  mass  of  dead,  dying  and  wounded  men — of  clothes, 
arms  and  equipments.  It  was  here  that  the  Ninth  New  Jersey 
picked  up  (captured)  the  battle  flag  of  the  Twenty-second  South 
Carolina  Regiment — a  magnificent  silk  banner,  with  the  palmetto 
tree  on  one  side  of  the  field,  and  a  wreath  of  stars  on  the  other,  and 
the  red,  white  and  red  bars. 

"A  few  yards  from  where  we  halted  was  an  abandoned  field- 
piece,  with  its  caisson,  which  the  rebs  had  left  in  their  flight.  It 
was  the  same  cannon  that  had  fired  the  last  rebel  shot  in  the  battle 
and  wounded  two  or  three  men. 

"After  a  short  halt,  we  advanced  up  towards  the  town  of 
Kinston,  whither  the  Ninth  New  Jersey  had  preceded  us.  *  *  *  * 
At  the  entrance  to  the  town  the  Ninth  New  Jersey  were  halted,  and 
when  we  came  up,  mutual  cheers  were  exchanged.  Just  then, 
General  Wessells  came  riding  up  at  the  head  of  his  brigade  of 
Pennsylvania^  and  NewT  Yorkers.  *  *  *  * 

"The  rebels,  after  collecting  their  stores  and  all  the  cotton 
they  could  gather  into  a  heap,  set  them  on  fire.  They  also  set 
fire  to  the  railroad  depot,  a  handsome  brick  structure,  but  it  was 
extinguished  by  our  men  before  it  had  made  much  headway. 


152  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

"Previous  to  our  entering  the  town,  a  flag  of  truce,  demanding 
its  surrender  had  been  sent  in;  but  it  was  found  the  enemy  had 
abandoned  the  town,  and  a  messenger  was  sent  back  acquainting 
General  Foster  with  the  fact,  and  the  party  kept  on  to  find  the  ske- 
dadlers,  if  possible.  About  two  miles  beyond  the  town  they  came 
up  with  Evans,  who  sent  back  word  to  General  Foster  to  have  the 
women  and  children  removed,  as  he  was  going  to  return  the  fire, 
which  all  the  time  had  been  kept  up  by  our  heavy  guns  upon  his 
retreating  forces.  This  was  simply  a  ruse  to  gain  time ;  for,  after  our 
forces  had  been  brought  up  and  disposed  in  line  of  battle,  and  the 
cavalry  and  skirmishers  had  advanced  up  to  where  they  expected 
to  find  the  enemy,  it  was  ascertained  the  birds  had  flown." 

SURRENDER  OF  A  CONFEDERATE  COMPANY. 

While  several  companies  of  the  Seventeenth  were  chasing  the 
Confederate  rear  guard,  the  commander  of  Company  A  observed 
a  company  of  the  enemy  hiding — some  of  them  secreting  them 
selves  in  a  culvert,  and  others  lying  down  near  by,  on  the  side  of 
the  highway,  at  a  point  where  there  was  a  very  palpable  depression 
in  the  roadbed,  which  offered  temporary  protection.  The  enemy, 
in  securing  this  hiding-place,  hoped  to  remain  undiscovered  until 
nightfall,  when  they  could  rejoin  the  main  body  on  the  hills  above. 

"The  commander  of  Company  A  found  himself  so  near  the 
detachment  referred  to  that  he  made  up  his  mind  that  General 
Evans  wouldn't  dare  fire  upon  him  for  fear  of  hitting  his  own  men, 
became  emboldened,  and  after  instructing  the  men  of  his  company 
as  to  what  was  expected  of  them,  he  ordered  a  rush  at  the  enemy, 
which  resulted  in  the  surrender  of  First-Lieutenant  Evans  and 
thirty- three  enlisted  men.  Lieutenant  Evans  was  the  nephew  of 
General  Evans,  then  commanding  the  Confederate  army  on  the 
heights  beyond. 

"Our  regiment,  which  had  been  detailed- from  the  brigade, 
when  we  entered  Kinston  was  ordered  on  provost  duty,  in  view 
of  the  anticipated  flight, was  ordered  to  rejoin  the  brigade;  but  when 
the  skedaddle  was  discovered,  we  were  again  assigned  to  provost 
duty,  and  such  marching  and  countermarching,  and  shifting,  and 


AT  THE  FRONT.  153 

looking  around  for  vacant  places  to  serve  as  quarters  for  the 
night,  as  the  men  of  Company  K  had,  never  fell  to  the  lot  of  so 
tired  and  hungry  a  set  of  men  to  experience.  I  suppose  some  of 
the  other  companies  could  boast  of  similar  experiences. 

"The  gunboats  had  come  up  to  a  blockade  about  four  miles 
below  the  city,  which  was  defended  by  an  earthwork  fort,  and 
after  we  had  driven  the  rebels  out  of  Kinston,  we  could  hear  the 
continuous  boom  of  heavy  artillery  in  that  direction.  A  squad  of 
the  Third  New  York  Cavalry  started  for  the  scene,  and  surprised  and 
captured  the  fort  that  was  pounding  away  at  the  gunboats,  with 
nearly  all  in  it. 

"The  result  of  our  day's  work  may  be  summed  up  in  a  few 
words:  We  beat  the  rebels  from  a  strong  position,  took  over  500 
prisoners  and  eleven  pieces  of  artillery.  *  ; 

"On  Monday  morning,  we  were  awakened  early,  and,  with 
the  Ninth  New  Jersey ,  took  up  the  advance.  Re-crossing  the  bridge, 
we  passed  over  the  battle-field,  and  here  I  observed  a  fine  mastiff 
lying  down  beside  the  body  of  his  dead  rebel  master.  I  had  often 
read  of  such  things,  but  I  had  at  last  the  privilege  of  seeing  for  my 
self  that  noble  instinct  of  affection  which  binds  so  closely  the  ties 
between  man  and  the  inferior  animals.  ***** 

"The  army  bivouacked  for  the  night  within  about  four  miles 
of  Whitehall.  *  *  *  *  About  nine  o'clock  Tuesday,  our  advance 
came  up  with  the  enemy  at  Whitehall,  who,  after  a  short  skirmish, 
retired  across  the  river,  burning  the  bridge  behind  them." 

ENGAGEMENT  AT  WHITEHALL. 

"Upon  the  advance  of  our  forces  towards  the  river — a  feint 
being  made  as  if  we  intended  to  cross — the  enemy  opened  on  us 
from  the  opposite  side,  with  artillery  and  musketry.  They  had 
also  a  number  of  sharpshooters  in  the  tree  tops  and  other  advanta 
geous  positions  on  the  other  bank,  who  kept  up  a  continuous  fire 
upon  us,  with  perfect  impunity,  too,  for  we  could  not  see  them,  but 
they  could  see  us,  and  picked  off  many  of  our  poor  fellows. 

"The  Seventeenth  was  ordered  down  to  the  near  river  bank, 
on  the  right  of  the  road,  and  got  into  a  hornet's  nest  and  no  mistake, 


154  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

for  the  shells  burst  around  and  among  us,  and  the  bullets  made  the 
air  vocal  with  their  insinuating  whizzing;  but,  though  we  had  quite 
a  number  wounded,  not  one  of  our  number  was  killed.  While 
being  actively  engaged  upon  the  river  bank,  our  own  artillery  came 
up.  and  commenced  pelting  at  the  rebs  in  glorious  style.  We  had 
six  batteries  (forty-two  pieces)  in  the  expedition,  and  here  they 
were  all  brought  into  play.  The  enemy  had  a  good  share  of  artil 
lery,  and  when  they  all  got  into  full  working  order,  what  with  the 
bursting  of  shells  and  the  rattle  of  small  arms,  the  ground  fairly 
shook  with  the  reverberations. 

"The  wooded  bank  of  the  river,  on  which  the  Seventeenth  was 
posted,  becoming  dangerous  from  the  fire  of  our  artillery,  which 
ripped  through  the  trees  and  drove  the  splinters  about  in  all  direc 
tions,  wounding  some  of  our  men,  Colonel  Amory  sent  in  his  aide 
for  Lieut-Colonel  Fellows  to  draw  his  men  further  to  the  rear.  I 
was  sitting  cosily  on  the  edge  of  the  sloping  river  bank,  with  my 
legs  astride  the  butt  of  a  tree,  and  anxiously  dodging  my  head  about 
in  search  of  a  sharpshooter,  who  was,  as  I  had  occasion  to  believe, 
engaged  exclusively  in  the  endeavor  to  put  me  out  of  suspense  and 
existence  at  the  same  time,  when  the  aide  came  up  and  inquired 
where  the  Lieut. -Colonel  was.  Perhaps  it  was  officiousness  on 
my  part  to  direct  him  in  the  most  safe  and  expeditious  way  to  find 
Colonel  Fellows,  who,  as  usual,  was  at  the  front;  for,  without 
noticing  my  directions  he  proceeded  further,  and  came  near  faring 
worse.  Just  as  he  was  taking  advantage  of  an  opening  in  the 
underbrush  to  go  down  along  the  bank,  whizz,  bang,  came  a  shell 
from  the  enemy,  which  passed  within  two  feet  of  him.  He  drew 
back  pale,  and  looking  frightened  enough;  but,  rallying,  he  pro 
ceeded  a  few  yards  further,  but  just  as  he  had  found  another  opening 
one  of  our  batteries  sent  a  discharge  ripping  through  the  woods 
just  in  front  of  him  again,  when,  thinking  probably  he  had  gone 
far  enough  in  that  direction,  he  came  to  the  right  about,  and  sought 
the  path  I  had  pointed  out  to  him  in  the  first  place. 

"Our  regiment  was  withdrawn  about  one  hundred  yards  to 
the  rear,  ordered  to  lie  down,  and  remained  there  under  fire  for 
three  hours.  *  *  *  *  Before  the  engagement  had  shown  any  sign 
of  abating,  the  Seventeenth  was  ordered  to  take  up  the  advance  for 


AT  THE  FRONT.  155 

Goldsboro.  We  had  to  pass  across  the  battle-ground  under  fire 
every  step  of  the  way,  but,  strange  to  say,  no  casualties  occurred 
during  this  movement.  We  halted  opposite  a  house  *  *  *  * 
when  we  were  accosted  by  an  enthusiastic  but  prudent  defender  of  his 
country,  who  had  taken  shelter  in  the  lee  of  the  house,  safe  from  the 
enemy's  bullets,  who  exclaimed,  "I  say,  boys,  ain't  we  giving  'em 

hell?' '     Bestowing  on  the  hero  a  few  'Oh,  you  be  d ds, '  we 

resumed  our  march,  and  soon  left  the  fierce  cannonade  far  behind 
us. 

"The  battle  of  Whitehall  was  little  more  than  an  artillery 
duel.  *  *  *  *  I  think  there  must  have  been  a  great  deal  of  lead 
wasted  and  iron  thrown  away.  The  only  sensible  impression  made 
by  our  projectiles  that  we  could  see  was  upon  the  frame  of  a  gun 
boat  on  the  slocks  at  the  other  side  of  the  river, (intended  for  an 
ironclad),  and  this  wras  certainly  riddled  up  in  fine  style.  The 
mention  of  a  gunboat,  or  frame  of  one,  puts  me  in  mind  of  a  daring 
act  performed  the  evening  previous  to  the  battle  by  one  of  the 
Third  New  York  Cavalry.  He  stripped  off,  swam  the  river  and 
was  in  the  act  of  setting  the  gunboat  on  fire,  when  he  was  discovered 
and  fired  upon,  and  had  to  dive  into  the  river,  leaving  his  work  un 
done,  and  swim  back  again  amid  a  perfect  shower  of  bullets  not  one 
of  which,  strange  to  relate,  touched  him.  *  ' 

"Our  regiment  was  followed  by  the  Ninth  New  Jersey  and 
others,  until  all  the  infantry  were  under  full  headway,  leaving  only 
a  battery  and  a  company  of  cavalry  to  engage  the  attention  of  the 
enemy  until  nightfall.  We  continued  our  march  to  about  five 
miles  of  Steep  Creek,  and  eight  of  the  Wilmington  Railroad,  and 
halted  for  the  night." 

BATTLE  OF  GOLDSBORO. 

"On  Wednesday  morning  our  regiment,  followed  by  the  Ninth 
New  Jersey,  again  took  up  the  advance  and  proceeded  cautiously 
along  to  within  about  two  miles  of  the  railroad,  where,  as  we  came 
out  upon  the  brow  of  a  hill,  we  could  see  about  a  mile  in  our  front, 
the  gleaming  of  the  enemy's  arms,  as  they  slowly  withdrew.  Our 
advance  companies  came  up  with  them,  and  quite  a  skirmish  en 
sued,  in  which  Sergeant  Hardy  of  Company  F  was  killed.  Lieut- 


156  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Colonel  Fellows  seemed  in  his  element,  and  went  on  even  in  ad 
vance  of  the  skirmishers.  A  battery  had  been  placed  on  the  hill 
just  mentioned,  and  commenced  shelling  the  retreating  rebels. 
We  advanced  through  a  wood,  skirting  the  mill-pond,  and  just 
on  the  farther  edge  of  the  wood,  where  we  struck  the  country  road, 
we  came  upon  a  deserted  rebel  camp,  the  fire  still  burning,  and  in 
the  ashes  of  which  many  roasted  sweet  potatoes  were  found. 

"  After  a  short  halt  we  advanced  along  the  county  road  about 
an  eighth  of  a  mile  to  the  south  of  the  railroad  bridge  over  the  Neuse 
River,  on  arriving  at  which  place  abundant  evidences  were  manifest 
of  a  hasty  preparation  to  receive  us,  abandoned  in  greater  haste,  the 
hoes  and  shovels  used  in  making  the  rifle-pits  and  breastworks 
being  left  in  confusion  along  the  track.  Axes  were  immediately 
brought  into  requisition,  the  telegraph  poles  cut  down  and  the 
wires  destroyed.  We  halted  a  few  minutes  just  beyond  the  rail 
road,  and  two  companies  being  sent  out  as  skirmishers  to  the  left, 
took  up  our  march  on  the  track  towards  the  bridge,  which  it  was 
the  purpose  of  the  expedition  to  destroy.  This  bridge  was  a  mag 
nificent  structure  (magnificent  is  too  superlative,  fine  is  better), 
about  two  hundred  feet  long,  and  is  said  to  have  taken  twelve 
months  to  build. 

"  The  Seventeenth  had  proceeded  but  a  quarter  of  the  distance, 
however,  when  they  were  opened  upon  by  a  battery  placed  on  the 
track  across  the  bridge,  which,  having  the  exact  range  of  our  posi 
tion,  sent  shot  and  shell  into  us  with  terrible  accuracy.  The  track 
was  immediately  cleared,  the  regiment  dividing,  taking  each  side 
of  the  railroad  (the  bed  of  which  there  rose  to  an  elevation  of  about 
ten  feet),  and  gradually  advanced  toward  the  bridge.  The  fire 
from  the  battery  and  sharpshooters  on  each  side  of  the  railroad, 
became  so  continuous  and  heavy  that  it  was  difficult  to  tell  whether 
moving  along  or  lying  still  was  most  dangerous;  but  we  kept  pres 
sing  on,  returning  the  fire  as  best  we  could.  Our  firing  was  rapid, 
but,  though  the  bullets  flew  into  where  the  enemy  were  supposed 
to  be,  yet  I  doubt  if  they  did  much  execution. 

"While  advancing  cautiously  onward,  and  during  one  of  the 
pauses  in  our  progress,  rendered  prudent  by  the  iron  and  leaden 
hail  directed  against  us,  an  incident  occurred  which  impressed  me 


Original  Plan,  by  Colons./  Sploine.,of 
I  mile,   long,  ^3  mile    r*ide. 

KINSTON 


w*-  -  -^-«L-^:  2  :^^35^ws^Y?.\  t-  ?  ;  '•  ;.;•'•« -.<•.  -.,  </  -  ^  •  c^j^*' 


•^^JC^SS; 

'*-          *  * 


BATTLE  OF  KINSTON,  N.  C.  Dec.14 18W& 


AT  THE  FRONT.  157 

at  the  time  as  being  truly  ludicrous.  A  Company  K  man,  named 
Gately,  who  was  hugging  the  side  of  the  railroad  with  commenda 
ble  zeal,  was  approached  by  a  rebel  of  the  canine  species,  who,  with 
the  instinct  that  often  approaches  to  reason,  and  is  at  times  wonder 
fully  developed  in  this  species  of  animal,  seemed  to  realize  that  he 
was  in  the  midst  of  danger,  and  sought  the  nearest  place  of  shelter. 
For  this  purpose  he  insinuated  himself  between  the  soldier  and  the 
ground.  The  man,  not  relishing  the  companionship,  from  pruden 
tial  reasons,  no  doubt,— an  inch  of  elevation  in  the  position  he  then 
was,  affording  so  much  of  an  additional  mark  for  bullets  or  erratic 
pieces  of  shell, — endeavored  to  dislodge  him,  saying,  ' Clear  out, 

d n  you.'      But  the  dog  would  not  stay  repulsed,  and  again 

returned.  'Give  him  the  butt  of  your  musket/  suggested  Phil 
Mealley  (another  of  Company  K's  men).  'Knock  him  over  into  the 
ditch.'  This  suggestion  was  acted  upon  and  the  dog  driven  off. 

"As  we  were  marching  down  the  railroad  in  the  first  place, 
and  when  the  enemy  opened  upon  us,  the  cry  was  raised  among  the 
men- — Billy  Patterson's  stentorian  voice  being  among  the  loudest— 

'Unfurl  the  flag.       Let  the  d d  rebs  see  what  we  fight  under. 

Show  them  our  colors.'  A  man  named  (Michael)  Carney  of 
Company  I,  who  was  color-sergeant,  immediately  responded  to 
the  call,  and  shook  out  the  folds  of  the  old  'star  spangled  banner/ 
and  there  he  stood  on  the  railroad  track  alone,  a  mark  for  the 
enemy's  sharpshooters,  but  strange  to  relate,  though  two  of  the 
color  guard  who  were  lying  down  behind  him  were  wounded,  he 
received  not  a  scratch.  This  act  of  true  bravery,  no  matter  how 
ill-advised  it  may  have  been,  is,  1  think,  deserving  record,  and  the 
honor  of  the  deed  should  be  given  to  the  man  who  so  nobly  faced 
death  while  upholding  his  country's  flag. 

"Having  progressed  in  the  manner  described  about  an  eighth  of 
a  mile,  when,  from  the  skirt  of  the  woods  bordering  the  field  on  the 
left,  came  whiz-z-z,  a  volley  of  musketry  fired  by  file,  followed  in 
half  a  minute's  time  by  another  volley  delivered  at  once.  (I  should 
judge  from  the  length  of  the  line  that  not  less  than  three  regiments 
fired  each  time.)  And  then  commenced  a  scene  that  it  would  be 
vain  to  attempt  to  describe,  especially  for  an  actor  in  it.  In  less 
time  than  I  can  relate  it,  every  man  who  was  not  wounded,  had 


158  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

jumped,  tumbled  headlong  or  rolled  over  into  the  ditch  at  the  right 
of  the  track  and  the  regiment  was  apparently  thrown  into  the 
wildest  confusion.  I  have  been  told  that  those  who  witnessed  the 
scene  thought  for  the  moment  that  the  Seventeenth  was  cut  to 
pieces,  but  were  agreeably  surprised  to  see  the  brave  fellows  spring- 
up  again,  and  commence  a  rapid  fire  upon  the  enemy,  using  the 
elevated  bed  of  the  railroad  as  a  breastwork.  There  were 
several  men  wounded  from  these  volleys.  The  rebels,  evidently 
mistaking  the  distance  (about  200  yards),  and  the  height  of  the 
railroad  bed,  did  not  fire  high  enough,  and  most  of  their  bullets 
lodged  in  the  bank  at  the  left- — an  extremely  lucky  circumstance 
for  us  all,  as  was  also  the  interruption  to  our  progress  thus  given; 
for  had  we  crossed  the  bridge  few  of  us  would  have  returned  to  tell 
the  tale.  ****** 

"After  a  while,  Morrison's  Battery  came  thundering  along  and 
got  into  position  in  the  field  at  the  right  of  the  railroad,  and  com 
menced  hurling  shot  and  shell  into  the  enemy  in  fine  style. 
One  of  our  fellows  had  taken  shelter  behind  a  log,  and  a  non-com 
missioned  officer,  observing  the  act,  routed  him  out,  telling  him 
to  go  forward  and  do  his  duty.  The  man  departed  and  the  officer 
took  his  place,  snugly  ensconcing  himself  behind  the  log. 

"Lieut-Colonel  Fellows  was  continually  going  up  and  down 
the  line,  encouraging  his  men,  showing  them  by  his  example  a  pat 
tern  of  the  most  fearless  bravery.  Lieutenant  Graham  of  the  Ar 
tillery  (not  the  Artillery,  but  the  North  Carolina  loyal  mounted 
infantry)  went  forward  with  combustibles  to  fire  the  bridge,  but 
soon  returned  pell-mell,  and  jumping  behind  a  log,  exclaimed, 

'D n  them;  they  won't  give  a  fellow  the  ghost  of  a  chance  out 

there.'  An  order  was  given  to  form  into  firing  line  *  *  *  *  and 
we  marched  out  from  behind  the  embankment,  and  were  halted 
in  the  rear  of  Morrison'  Battery,  and  ordered  to  lie  down  in  a 
hollow  made  by  taking  earth  from  the  bed  of  the  railroad.  The 
rebels  seemed  to  have  the  exact  range  of  the  position,  and  the 
way  the  shell  and  solid  shot  scattered  and  tore  up  the  earth  about 
us,  and  in  our  midst  was  a  caution.  Colonel  Fellows  alone  stood 
up,  and  some  of  the  officers  were  remonstrating  with  him  upon  the 
rashness  of  thus  exposing  himself,  when  a  shell  at  that  moment 


AT  THE  FRONT.  159 

came  screaming  by,  apparently  within  a  few  feet  of  his  head. 
'Phew!  There  she  goes!'  exclaimed  the  colonel,  and  replying  to 
the  officers,  he  said,  'Well,  it  appears  to  me  that  it  is  just  as  safe 
standing  here  as  lying  down.  If  a  man  is  to  be  hit,  he'll  be  hit 
lying  down  as  well  as  in  any  other  position.' — 'Poor  philosophy,' 
colonel,  I  thought,  'but  very  inspiriting  words.' 

"Lieutenant  Barnabas  X.  Mann  then  came  forward  with  a 
bundle  of  prepared  combustibles  in  his  hands,  and  called  for  two 
volunteers  to  accompany  him  to  the  bridge  to  operate  with  another 
party  in  an  endeavor  to  fire  the  same.  The  men,  Besse  and  Ed- 
mands  of  Company  A,  were  instantly  forthcoming,  of  course,  and 
the  trio  started  on  their  dangerous  errand.  We  watched  them 
with  anxiety,  and  saw  them  gain  the  bridge  amid  a  perfect  death- 
shower  of  bullets,  one  of  which,  unfortunately,  hit  our  brave  Lieu 
tenant  Mann  on  the  plate  of  his  sword  belt,  causing  a  severe  wound. 
They  returned  with  the  wounded  officer,  reporting  that  they  had 
succeeded  in  their  enterprise. 

"Faint  cheers  were  now  heard  from  the  rebels,  and  on  looking 
to  ascertain  the  cause,  it  was  discovered  that  a  train  had  arrived 
with  re-inforcements,  which  could  be  seen  debouching  from  the 
cars,  and  forming  in  line  of  battle  across  the  railroad.  Captain 
Morrison,  learning  this, immediately  jumped  upon  the  railroad  and 
directed  the  fire  of  his  battery.  The  first  shell  fell  rather  to  the 
left  of  the  rebel  line.  The  second  fell  in  their  midst,  almost  on  the 
railroad  track,  and  the  way  they  scattered  into  the  woods  was 
amusing.  A  'monitor',  or  battery,  came  up  with  this  train,  and 
immediately  commenced  shelling  us,  every  shell  bursting  directly 
over  our  heads.  At  the  third  fire  from  Morrison's  Battery,  the 
shell  exploded  the  engine,  and  a  column  of  white  smoke  shot  up 
into  the  air,  carrying  with  it,  no  doubt,  the  lives  of  many  poor 
rebels.  The  enemy's  fire  began  to  slacken,  smoke  could  be  seen 
issuing  from  the  bridge,  and  soon  the  whole  structure  was  wrapped 
in  flames.  The  most  important  part  of  our  work  was  accomplished. 

"  In  the  meantime  the  work  of  tearing  up  the  rails  and  sleepers 
of  the  railroads,  and  setting  them  on  fire,  was  efficiently  performed 
by  the  gallant  Fifth  Massachusetts  Regiment  and  the  Xew  York 
Cavalry — the  latter  destroying  another  railroad  bridge  about  two 


160  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

miles  north  of  the  great  bridge;  and  when  the  fight  was  concluded 
I  had  time  to  notice  the  smoke  of  hundreds  of  fires  extending  as 
far  as  the  eye  could  reach  on  the  bed  of  the  road,  indicating  how 
completely  the  work  of  destruction  had  been  accomplished. 

"Our  regiment  marched  out  from  under  fire,  and  was  received 
with  cheers  from  all  the  other  regiments  that  had  come  up  to  our 
support.  We  then  took  up  the  advance  on  the  return  movement, 
but  had  not  proceeded  far  when  we  heard  firing  and  cheers  of  men, 
indicating  that  the  fighting  was  not  yet  over,  and  soon  an  order 
reached  us  to  halt.  We  were  formed  in  line  of  battle,  in  case 
the  forces  in  front  would  be  compelled  to  retreat,  but  after  a  half 
hour's  suspense  in  this  position,  we  were  ordered  again  to  the 
scene  of  our  late  labors,  where  we  arrived  in  time  to  see  the  tail 
end  of  the  fight,  and  to  find  we  were  not  needed. 

"It  appears  that  just  after  we  had  retired  from  the  field,  and 
towards  sunset,  the  rebels  having  crossed  the  county  bridge,  some 
half  a  mile  above,  to  the  number  of  three  or  four  thousand, 
came  down  and  charged  across  the  railroad  upon  Battery  B,  Third 
New  York  Artillery.  They  formed  in  three  lines  of  battle,  and  came 
on  with  a  terrible  sweep,  intending  to  crush  all  before  them. 
The  captain  of  the  battery  ordered  his  pieces  to  be  loaded  with 
double  charges  of  canister,  and  when  they  came  within  about  sixty 
yards,  sent  a  hail-storm  into  their  midst,  which  mowed  them  down 
like  grass,  and  before  they  could  rally  or  fly,  sent  another  discharge 
into  them,  which  threw  them  into  such  confusion  that  they  incon 
tinently  fled  and  were  seen  no  more.  The  Fifth  Regiment  was  sup 
porting  this  battery,  and  received  great  praise  for  its  gallant  be 
havior.  About  forty  prisoners  were  taken,  and  if  the  artillery  sup 
ports  had  charged,  no  doubt  many  more  would  have  been  captured. 

"Our  aid  not  being  required,  we  went  to  the  right-about  and 
again  took  up  the  backward  track;  but  though  night  had  fallen  on 
the  scene,  our  way  was  not  in  darkness,  for  some  of  the  men- 
stragglers,  perhaps — of  the  advance  regiments  had  amused  them 
selves  by  setting  the  woods  on  fire  on  both  sides  of  the  road.  The 
scene  was  grand.  The  huge  pitch  pines,  which  had  been  stripped 
to  obtain  the  green  from  which  turpentine  and  rosin  were  made, 
were  ignited  and  burned  fiercely,  and  lined  our  road  on  either  side 


AT  THE  FRONT.  161 

like  flaming  sentinels.  The  underbrush  had  also  caught,  as  well 
as  the  dried  leaves,  and  with  their  volume  of  light  added,  rendered 
our  pathway  as  clear  and  distinct  as  if  the  noonday  sun  poured 
down  his  burning  beams.  The  heavy  and  regular  tread  of  the 
marching  battalions,  the  rumbling  of  the  artillery  and  the  baggage 
wagons  and  ambulances,  the  braying  of  mules,  the  confused  hum 
of  voices,  the  occasional  cries  of  pain  from  the  wounded  men,  the 
fierce  naming,  cracking  and  crackling  of  the  trees  on  fire,  the 
occasional  crashes  of  the  falling  giants  of  the  forest,  and  the  illumi 
nated  cloud  of  smoke  which  hung  over  all,  made  up  a  picture  of 
sight  and  sound,  that  once  witnessed  can  never  be  forgotten.' ' 

And  all  this  and  many  other  scenes  of  warfare,  equally  striking, 
are  today  only  pleasant  memories,  more  or  less  distinct,  in  the 
minds  of  the  few  remaining  participants  in  them. 


THE  LOSSES  IN  THE  THREE  BATTLES. 

KIXSTOX — Ninth  New  Jersey,  2  killed,  22  wounded,  2  missing. 

WHITEHALL — 44  wounded.     GOLDSBORO- — 11  wounded. 

Fifth  Rhode  Island,  1  killed,  4  wounded. 

Third  New  York  Artillery — Battery  B,  2  wounded;  Battery  F, 
2  wounded. 

Twenty-fourth  New  York  Independent  Battery — 1  killed. 

Wessell's  Brigade,  85th  New  York,  3  wounded.  96th  New 
York,  1  killed,  6  wounded.  22d  New  York,  2  killed,  16  wounded. 
The  101st  Penn.  did  not  lose  any  in  killed  or  wounded.  85th 
Penn.,  9  wounded.  103d  Penn.  (with  only  450  men)  had  14  killed 
and  58  wounded. 

Casualties  in  Second  Brigade,  Colonel  Stevenson.  10th 
Conn.,  11  killed,  86  wounded,  of  whom  10  died  shortly  after.  24th 
Mass..  1  killed,  7  wounded.  44th  Mass.,  8  killed,  13  wounded. 
Fifth  Rhode  Island,  1  killed,  3  wounded.  Battery  B,  1st  R.  I. 
Artillery,  1  killed,  8  wounded,  18  horses  killed  and  wounded. 

Casualties  in  Third  Brigade,  Colonel  Lee,  5th  Mass.,  7  wounded 
Third  Massachusetts,  2  wounded.  27th  Mass.,  3  wounded.  46th 
Mass.,  2  killed,  3  wounded. 


162  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Casualties  in  First  Brigade,  Colonel  Amory,  Seventeenth  Mass., 
1  killed,  29  wounded.  45th  Mass..  6  killed,  12  wounded.  23d 
Mass.,  14  killed,  52  wounded.  51st  Mass.,  2  wounded.  43d 
Mass.,  2  killed,  1  wounded. 

Artillery  Brigade,  Colonel  J.  H.  Ledlie — 2  staff  wounded. 
Battery  B,  4  wounded.  Battery  F,  8  wounded.  Battery  E,  3 
wounded.  Battery  I,  1  killed.  Battery  K,  2  killed,  5  wounded. 
24th  Battery,  1  killed. 

Casualties  in  3d  New  York  Cavalry— Co.  A,  3  wounded,  7 
horses  killed.  Company  B,  7  wounded,  10  horses  killed.  Com 
pany  E,  2  wounded.  Company  K,  2  wounded. 

Total,  72  killed,  460  wounded. 

The  following  Massachusetts  Regiments  participated  in  these 
battles : 

Third  Regiment,  Colonel  S.  P.  Richmond. 

Fifth  Regiment,  Colonel  George  H.  Pierson. 

Eighth  Regiment,  Colonel  J.  F.  Coffin  (Garrisoned  Newbern 
while  the  other  troops  were  away.) 

Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  Lieut. -Colonel  John  F. 
Fellows. 

Twenty-third  Regiment,  Major  John  G.  Chambers. 

Twenty-fourth  Regiment,  Colonel  T.  G.  Stevenson. 

Twenty-fifth  Regiment,  Colonel  Josiah  Picket  t. 

Forty-third  Regiment,  Colonel  Charles  L.  Holbrook. 

Forty-fourth  Regiment,  Colonel  Francis  S.  Lee. 

Forty-fifth  Regiment,  Colonel  Charles  R.  Codman. 

Forty-sixth  Regiment,  Colonel  George  Bowles. 

Fifty-first  Regiment,  Colonel  A.  B.  R.  Sprague. 
The  other  regiments  and  batteries  engaged  were : 

Battery  F,  First  R.  I.  Regiment,  Captain  James  Belger. 

Fifth  R.  I.  Regiment,  Captain  Job  Arnold. 

Third  N.  Y.  Cavalry,  Colonel  S.  H.  Mix  (Cos.  A,  B,  E,  D,  K.) 

Third  N.  Y.  Artillery,  Colonel  J.  H.  Ledlie  (Batteries  B,  C, 
F,I,K) 

Twenty-second  N.  Y.  Infantry,  Colonel  Walter  Phelps,  Jr. 

Eighty-fifth  N.  Y.  Infantry,  Colonel  J.  S.  Belknap. 

Ninety-sixth  N.  Y.  Infantry,  Colonel  Charles  0.  Gray. 


AT  THE  FRONT.  163 

Tenth  Connecticut  Volunteers,  Colonel  E.  D.  S.  Goodyear. 
Twenty-fourth  N.  Y.  Independent  Battery,  Captain  T.  E.  Lee. 
Ninth  New  Jersey  Infantry,  Colonel  C.  A.  Heckmann. 
The  Eighty-fifth,  One  Hundred  and  First,  and  One  Hundred 
and  Third  Pennsylvania  Regiments. 

THE  KILLED  AND  WOUNDED  IN  THE  GOLDSBORO  CAMPAIGN. 

The  following  letter  from  Colonel  Splaine  will  be  read  with 
interest  by  many  of  the  comrades  who  can  appreciate  its  senti 
ments  : 
"  To  THOMAS  KIRWAN, 

"  Historian  of  the  Seventeenth  Infantry. 
"Dear  Comrade: 

"When  reading  your  account  of  the  Goldsboro  Campaign,  I 
was  impressed  with  the  meagre  detail  concerning  the  killed  and 
wounded  of  the  regiment  during  that  expedition.  You  are  not  to 
blame  for  not  giving  the  names,  for  you  had  but  very  little  official 
data  concerning  that  movement  at  your  command.  The  printed 
accounts  relating  to  the  part  taken  by  Massachusetts  soldiers  in 
the  Civil  War,  issued  by  the  Commonwealth,  simply  state  that  the 
soldier  was  either  killed,  discharged  for  disability  or  by  expiration 
of  service.  Immortal  honors  to  the  memory  of  those  who  were 
killed;  but  how  about  those  who  were  severely  or  slightly  wounded? 
Slight  wounds  were  often  as  painful  as  severe  ones. 

"I  remember  distinctly  that  we  had  many  men  wounded  at 
Kinston  (December  14,  1862),  Whitehall  (December  16), and  Golds 
boro  (December  17,  1862).  I  will  not  attempt  to  name  all  of  the 
men  of  my  own  company  who  were  wounded  in  the  three  fights, 
although  there  were  quite  a  number,  for  fear  it  would  look  like  neg 
lecting  other  companies  of  the  regiment  whose  losses  were  quite  as 
heavy  as  my  own. 

"  I  feel  it  a  positive  duty,  however,  to  mention  James  McKnight, 
who  was  shot  down  by  my  side  in  the  battle  of  Whitehall.  His 
ankle  and  leg  were  shattered,  necessitating  amputation  of  the  limb. 
The  amputation  was  performed  right  there  on  the  field.  Poor  Jim! 
He  lived  some  years  after  this,  but  an  untimely  death  was  the  final 
result.  We  are  consoled,  however,  for  his  loss  by  the  fact  that  he 


164  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

is  survived  by  his  gallant  brother  of  the  same  company  and  regi 
ment,  John  W.  McKnight  of  Beverly,  Mass.,  who  is  respected  wher 
ever  known  as  a  good  citizen,  a  patriotic  soldier,  and  as  one  who 
retains  to  the  last  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  old  commander. 
There  was  one  killed  and  several  men  of  the  regiment  of  every 
company  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Goldsboro,  and  three  com 
missioned  officers  severely  wounded  there.  They  were  Captain 
George  W.  Kenney,  First  Lieutenant  Barnabas  N.  Mann  and 
Second  Lieutenant  Ezekiel  F.  Mann ;  but  there  is  no  mention  of  the 
wounded  in  the  volume  issued  by  the  state,  so  that  when  a  man  was 
discharged  for  disability,  we  do  not  know  whether  it  was  for  the 
loss  of  a  limb  or  for  malaria. 

"  It  is  well-known  that  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  was  the  only 
Infantry  command  actively  engaged  at  the  Goldsboro  bridge,  and 
it  is  also  well-known  that  that  railroad  bridge  was  burned  by  men 
of  our  regiment — and  I  think  the  command  was  most  fortunate  in 
escaping  with  the  loss  of  only  one  killed  and  twenty-nine  wounded. 
Sergeant  Hardy  of  Company  F  was  the  man  killed.  There  were 
other  regiments  in  the  Goldsboro  fight,  but  ours  was  the  only  one 
at  or  near  the  bridge. 

"By  adding  these  few  remarks  to  your  account  of  the  Golds 
boro  Campaign  you  will  oblige, 

SPLAINE." 


STORY  WITH  A  SEQUEL. 


BY  THE  HISTORIAN. 

Stories  of  the  war,  with,  sequels,  are  not  uncommon,  and  this 
one  may  be  perhaps  among  the  least  wonderful  and  exciting. 

During  the  fight  at  Whitehall,  on  the  Goldsboro  Expedition, 
while  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  was  lying  in  a  field  near  the 
burned  bridge,  under  a  heavy  cannon  and  musketry  fire,  I  left  my 
place  in  the  ranks,  and  went  down  to  the  river-bank,  about  150  or 
200  feet  distant.  I  selected  a  tree  about  fifteen  inches  in  diameter, 


AT  THE  FRONT.  165 

growing  on  the  edge  of  the  steep  bank,  and  got  behind  it,  with  my 
legs  embracing  it;  my  feet  hanging  over  the  bank. 

I  was  looking  for  experience  and  soon  found  it.  I  had  scarcely 
settled  myself  when  the  zip  of  a  ball  reminded  me  that  some  one 
on  the  opposite  bank  desired  to  have  a  little  sport  with  me.  The 
opposite  shore  was  heavily  wooded  down  to  the  water's  edge,  so 
that  those  under  it  were  invisible  to  me.  I  had  not  long  to  wait, 
however,  for  a  second  salute,  the  firer  of  which  I  located  approxi 
mately  by  the  smoke  which  arose  from  the  discharge.  I  returned 
the  compliment,  aiming  below  where  the  smoke  ascended.  We 
exchanged  shots  for  perhaps  half  an  hour,  some  of  them  coming 
very  close  to  my  head  and  body,  chipping  the  bark  from  the  tree, 
and  two  tearing  holes  in  my  clothing. 

Suddenly,  I  felt  a  hot,  burning  pain  in  the  lobe  of  my  right  ear. 
At  first,  I  thought  it  was  the  sting  of  a  bee,  but  realized  on  reflection 
that  it  couldn't  be  that,  as  it  was  December,  when  the  bees  were 
in  their  hives.  I  put  my  hand  to  the  lobe  of  my  ear,  which  began 
to  swell  and  was  painful,  and  then  I  realized  it  must  have  been 
caused  by  the  " windage/'  so-called,  or  vacuum  created  by  the 
passage  of  a  ball  at  high  velocity.  I  took  it  as  a  hint  to  evacuate, 
returned  to  the  regiment,  which  was  still  lying  down  and  resumed 
my  place  in  the  company's  ranks. 

Some  ten  years  later,  I  was  in  North  Carolina,  doing  a  mining- 
business  in  the  foothill  counties  above  Charlotte,  which  city  I 
made  my  headquarters.  It  was  during  the  Ku-klux  excitement, 
and  United  States  troops — cavalry,  infantry  and  artillery — were 
quartered  in  the  counties  of  Mecklenburg,  N.  C.  and  York,  S.  C., 
the  disturbances  being  in  the  adjoining  counties  in  both  states. 
At  the  Mansion  House  in  Charlotte,  where  I  stayed  when  in  town, 
there  were  several  army  officers  and  their  wives.  These  officers 
had  been  in  the  Civil  War,  and  as  the  hotel  was  also  a  rendezvous 
for  a  number  of  ex-confederate  officers,  it  can  be  understood  that 
in  the  evening,  wrhen  the  public  room  was  well  occupied,  stories 
and  reminiscences  of  the  late  war  were  frequently  heard. 

One  evening,  while  in  this  company,  the  talk  turned  on  "  close 
calls' '  in  the  strife  of  war — narrow  escapes,  in  fact.  Some  wonder 
ful  and  thrilling  stories  of  such  escapes  were  related,  and  being 


166  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

called  upon  to  contribute  any  experience  of  the  kind  which  I  had 
had,  related  the  above  episode,  with  considerable  misgiving  as  to 
its  unimportance.  To  my  surprise,  when  I  had  finished,  a  gentle 
man  present  (Dr.  McCoombs),  who  had  been  a  regimental  surgeon 
in  the  Confederate  Army  said :  "  I  know  the  man  who  was  shooting 
at  you  at  Whitehall.  He  is  chief  of  police  at  Charlotte,  and  I 
know  would  like  to  meet  you.' ' 

"  I  should  like  to  meet  him,' '  I  said. 

"I'll  bring  him  in  to  see  you  tomorrow,' '  said  the  doctor. 

The  next  day  the  doctor  came  in  accompanied  by  a  fine, 
stalwart  six-footer,  whom  he  introduced  as  City  Marshal  of  Char 
lotte.  We  soon  compared  notes  and  were  satisfied  as  to  our  mutual 
identity.  He  was  as  pleased  to  meet  me  as  if  I  was  a  long-lost 
brother,  instead  of  a  whilom  enemy,  and  on  my  part  I  was  equally 
pleased  to  meet  him. 

The  story  spread  among  the  habitues  of  the  hotel,  and  a  move 
ment  was  at  once  made  to  commemorate  the  occurrence  by  a  supper. 
This  took  place  on  the  evening  of  the  day  following,  and  was  largely 
attended  by  Confederate  officers — fine,  hearty  fellows  all. 

Of  course,  the  story  of  our  duel  across  the  Neuse  at  Whitehall 
had  to  be  repeated,  speeches  were  made,  and  the  last  remembrance 
(a  hazy  one,  I  own)  which  I  have  retained  of  this  occurrence  is, 
that  the  city  marshal  and  I  were  embracing  "over  the  bloody 
chasm."  __ 

THE  RETURN  MARCH 


FROM  GOLDSBORO  TO  NEWBERN. 

On  December  18th  we  marched  to  within  four  miles  of  Kinston 
on  our  return  march  towards  Newbern. 

On  December  19th,  we  took  up  our  field  hospital,  left  near 
Kinston,  where  Doctor  Galloupe  had  been  compelled  to  leave  many 
of  our  wounded,  among  whom  was  one  of  the  Seventeenth,  whose 
wounds  were  so  severe  that  the  surgeon  had  removed  the  right  arm 
from  the  socket  and  had  amputated  the  left  leg  near  the  hip. 

The  writer  of  this  sketch  remembers  talking  with  Doctor 
Galloupe  about  the  man  just  referred  to,  and  as  they  approached 


AT  THE  FRONT.  167 

the  field  hospital,  the  doctor  remarked  that  he  did  not  expect  to 
find  him  alive;  but  to  his  great  surprise,  the  patient  was  doing 
well  and  finally  recovered.  But  many  weeks  afterwards,  when 
the  man  was  able  to  undertake  a  journey  North,  and  while  await 
ing  a  furlough  which  had  been  applied  for  and  was  a  long  time  com 
ing,  the  poor  soldier  contracted  malaria,  which  caused  his  death. 

The  writer  is  unable  at  this  late  day  to  state  the  name  of  the 
soldier  referred  to,  and  yet  recalls  the  fact  of  having  made  applica 
tion  for  an  indefinite  furlough  for  the  man. 

The  march  homeward  from  Goldsboro  brought  the  command 
back  to  fields  of  victory,  inarched  over  but  a  few  clays  previously. 
The  interest  taken  in  those  scenes  by  the  officers  and  men  was  very 
marked  and  interesting,  many  relating  incidents  of  the  conflicts 
and  telling  of  personal  experiences  during  the  hours  of  danger;  but 
some  of  them  forgot  to  speak  tenderly  of  the  comrades  they  had 
seen  go  down  in  glory. 

On  December  20th,  many  of  the  regiments  were  allowed  to  cut 
loose,  to  make  their  way  to  Newbern,  then  thirty-five  miles  distant. 
Among  the  regiments  were  the  Ninth  New  Jersey  and  the  Seven 
teenth  Massachusetts — old  and  tried  friends — but  on  this  occasion 
a  friendly  rivalry  sprang  up  between  them,  to  see  who  could  reach 
Newbern  first.  It  was  nip  and  tuck  for  a  long  time,  and  at  last, 
the  Seventeenth  being  well  in  advance,  Colonel  Fellows  concluded 
he  would  halt  the  Seventeenth,  and  give  the  men  a  chance  to  make 
a  little  hot  coffee,  but  just  as  the  coffee  was  getting  warmed  up,  the 
Ninth  New  Jersey  came  tearing  along,  and  then  Colonel  Fellows 
shouted,  "Fall  in,  Seventeenth!"  Coffee-pots  were  emptied  of 
their  contents,  or  some  of  the  men  drank  the  coffee  as  they  marched, 
and  entered  the  gates  of  Fort  Totten,  winners,  after  a  smart  march 
of  thirty-five  miles.  When  the  troops  reached  Newbern,  they 
were  thoroughly  exhausted,  and  were  granted  a  much-needed  rest 
before  resuming  any  very  severe  duties. 

Soon  thereafter  came  Christmas,  many  of  the  boys  receiving 
presents  from  their  friends  in  Massachusetts.  The  good  cheer 
of  a  soldier's  Christmas,  coupled  with  the  recent  successful  campaign 
made  it  more  than  an  ordinary  Christmas  to  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


RELIEVED  FROM  PROVOST  GUARD  AND  BACK  IN  BARRACKS  AT  THE 
SOUTH  SIDE  OF  THE  TRENT — THE  JOHNNIES  CAME  TO  COLLECT 
A  YEAR'S  RENT — BATTLE  OF  BLOUNT'S  MILLS — CHARGE  THE 
CAUSEWAY — GUM  SWAMP  EXPEDITION — TRENTON  AND  THE 
BARBER  OF  SEVILLE  —  PLENTY  OF  WATER  DOWN  THERE — 
WINTON  OR  MT.  TABOR  CHURCH — THE  CAPTAIN'S  SHOWER 
BATH — ESCORTING  THE  COLORS — CAPTAIN  MAC  AND  THE 
LAUGHING  MULE — DIDN'T  BLAME  THE  CAPTAIN. 

After  the  return  of  the  troops  from  the  Goldsboro  Campaign, 
the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  did  provost  duty  in  the  City  of 
Newbern,  housed  comfortably,  and  had  an  opportunity  to  rest  and 
clean  up.  This  could  not  last,  for  an  order  was  issued  sending  the 
regiment  across  the  Trent  into  barracks,  which  the  Seventeenth 
had  erected  the  year  before,  and  which  had  been  occupied  by 
several  regiments  alternately — the  last  being  the  Forty-fifth  Reg 
iment.  It  took  the  Seventeenth  a  few  days  to  settle  down  in 
their  old  quarters. 

No  sooner  had  the  regiment  become  settled  than  it  was  dig 
and  delve,  and  throw  up  a  line  of  rifle  pits  around  and  at  the 
opposite  end  of  the  county  bridge.  As  days  came  and  went,  rumors 
were  rife  of  danger  everywhere,  and  with  frequent  orders  to  be 
ready  at  a  moment's  notice,  and  many  orders  to  cook  three  days' 
rations,  the  regiment  was  kept  busy. 

Pickets  were  driven  in  on  the  Trent  road,  and  three  men  killed. 
There  were  rumors  that  Newport  Barracks  were  being  attacked 
and  bad  reports  came  from  Little  Washington.  On  March  14, 
the  regiment  went  to  a  review,  which  was  changed  into  a  defence 

[168] 


""(*V/^^°' ( 'H 1 1 '" 

>5P?<(  v, 
*/Mf'ui4i 


>1 JWMW 

flf^ 


AT  THE  FRONT.  169 

of  Fort  Anderson.     On  April  7th,   it   crossed  the   Neuse  River, 
and  moved  towards  Blount's  Mills. 


ATTEMPTED  TO  COLLECT  A  YEAR'S  RENT. 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th  of  March,  1863,  the  many  Union 
commands  in  and  about  Newbern,  having  performed  their  various 
duties  incident  to  that  time  of  day,  and  enjoying  the  repose  that 
came  from  long-continued  inactivity,  were  suddenly  aroused  by 
the  sudden  and  excited  appearance  of  aid-de-camps  from  the  head 
quarters  of  the  general  commanding,  ordering  all  troops  under 
arms.  The  long  roll  was  beaten,  and  then  it  was  hustle  and  hustle. 
Fall  in,  Seventeenth ! 

Then  the  sudden  booming  of  artillery  coming  from  the  west 
erly  side  of  the  Neuse  River  plainly  told  that  the  enemy  in  force 
had  suddenly  attacked  Fort  Anderson.  The  Seventeenth  was 
double-quicked  to  the  long  bridge  spanning  the  Trent  River. 
Now  could  be  seen  the  many  gunboats  composing  the  Union 
flotilla  getting  under  way  and  taking  part  in  the  defence  of  Fort 
Anderson.  The  boats  hurled  shell  after  shell  over  the  fort  into 
the  ranks  of  the  attacking  enemy. 

The  graceful  movements  of  the  gunboats  up  and  down  the 
harbor,  while  keeping  up  an  incessant  fire  on  the  enemy,  the 
screaming  and  bursting  of  shells,  coupled  with  the  steady  fire  of 
artillery  and  infantry  from  Fort  Anderson,  presented  a  spectacle 
long  to  be  remembered. 

These  conditions  lasted  about  two  hours,  when  the  Johnnies 
made  up  their  minds  that  the  anniversary  of  the  capture  of 
Newbern  by  the  Union  troops,  under  General  Burnside,  was  not 
a  favorable  day  for  the  collection  of  a  year's  rent.  The  enemy 
was  repulsed  with  considerable  loss,  while  the  Union  loss  was 
very  small. 

During  the  afternoon,  the  many  commands  were  returned 
to  their  stations  of  the  morning,  to  take  a  rest  and  consider  the 
impertinence  and  the  impropriety  of  any  landlord  attempting 
to  collect  rent  during  the  middle  of  the  month. 


170  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

BATTLE  OF  BLOUNT'S  MILLS. 


To  CHARGE  THE  CAUSEWAY 
BY  AN  OFFICER  OF  THE  SEVENTEENTH. 

(The  following  article,  descriptive  of  an  episode  of  the  Avar 
in  North  Carolina,  which  might  have  eventuated  in  a  tragedy 
not  unlike  the  "  Charge  of  the  Light  Brigade"  in  the  Crimean 
War,  when  "somebody  blundered/ '  if  Colonel  Amory,  in  command 
of  the  brigade  of  which  the  Seventeenth  was  a  part,  had  not  inter 
fered,  is  by  an  officer  of  the  Seventeenth  who  was  present  at 
the  engagement,  and  is  a  truthful  description  of  the  occurrence.) 

In  the  early  spring  of  1863,  when  the  Union  lines  were  extended 
from  Newbern  to  Plymouth  on  the  northeast  and  to  (Little) 
Washington  on  the  north,  the  Confederate  generals  evident y 
saw  an  opportunity  to  damage  the  prestige  of  our  arms  in  North 
Carolina,  and  invested  Little  Washington,  which  was  about 
seventy  miles  from  Newbern.  The  garrison  at  this  place  was  small. 
It  consisted  of  eight  companies  of  the  Twenty-Seventh  Massa 
chusetts  Infantry,  one  company  of  the  First  North  Carolina 
Infantry  (Buffaloes),  one  company  of  the  Third  New  York  Cavalry, 
Battery  G,  Third  New  York  Artillery— less  than  seven  hundred  in 
all.  This  garrison  had  been  reenforced  by  a  portion  of  the 
Forty-Fourth  Massachusetts,  and  a  number  of  negros  willing  to 
fight,  who  had  been  given  arms  by  Colonel  Lee  of  the  Forty-Fourth. 
The  whole  garrison  thus  re-enforced  numbered  not  over  one 
thousand  men. 

The  rebels  began  to  invest  the  town,  and  cut  off  supplies  and  re- 
enforcements,  but  General  Foster,  who  was  in  Plymouth,  ascended 
the  river  on  March  30th,  and  took  personal  command.  Defences 
were  strengthened,  and  every  preparation  made  to  defend  the 
town  to  the  last  extremity;  but  the  odds  were  all  against  him  and 
his  handful  of  men. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  General  Foster  was  hemmed  in  at  Wash 
ington,  N.  C.,  besieged  on  one  side  by  the  Confederate  General 
Hoke,  thereby  cutting  off  all  means  of  escape  by  land,  while 
retreat  by  water  was  rendered  almost  impossible  by  a  portion  of 


AT  THE  FRONT.  171 

the  command  of  General  D.  H.  Hill,  who  occupied  a  strong- 
position  on  a  promontory  at  a  narrow  point  of  the  river,  some 
fourteen  miles  below  the  town. 

This  position  was  well  chosen,  being  high  land,  was  easy  of 
access  from  a  good  public  road,  and  was  easily  made  almost 
impregnable  from  the  water  side,  while  its  elevation  gave  the 
gunners  in  it  complete  command  of  the  river.  Many  heavy  guns 
and  some  smaller  ones  were  mounted  at  this  point,  and  it  is  safe 
to  say  that,  as  our  navy  was  then  represented  in  North  Carolina 
waters,  it  could  have  disposed  of  any  naval  force  we  could  send 
against  it. 

The  position  referred  to  was  known  as  "  Hill's  Point,"  for  it 
was  General  D.  H.  Hill  of  Lee's  army,  who  was  conducting  the 
movements  which  were  intended  to  culminate  in  the  capture  of 
Little  Washington  and  General  Foster's  little  force  of  defenders  in  it. 

General  Hill,  having  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  Union  forces  by 
water,  now  turned  his  attention  to  finding  a  position  where  he 
could  successfully  deal  with  a  comparatively  small  army  that  was 
marching  overland  from  Newbern,  with  the  object  of  raising  the 
siege  and  rescuing  the  garrison. 

Hill  chose  "Blount's  Mills"  as  the  ideal  spot  where  with 
his  ten  thousand  veterans,  he  could  resist  the  onslaught  of  forty 
thousand ;  and  he  chose  wisely.  He  selected  a  long  ridge  of  high 
land — almost  terraced  in  shape  on  the  side  of  approach— with  his 
center  resting  in  front  of  a  causeway,  which  constituted  at  once  the 
mill  dam  of  Blount's  Mills,  and  the  only  passable  road  for  artillery, 
the  only  other  road  or  way  of  approach  being  at  least  twenty 
miles  away,  and  out  of  the  question. 

Hill's  position  gave  him  every  advantage  that  he  could  desire. 
The  form  of  his  works  enabled  him  to  concentrate  the  fire  of  every 
piece  of  artillery  he  had,  and  that  of  the  majority  of  his  infantry, 
upon  this  causeway — the  only  possible  way  that  an  attacking  force 
could  reach  him.  The  position  was  impregnable,  and  Hill  knew  it. 

At  the  base  of  Hill's  position  was  an  almost  interminable 
swamp,  running  for  miles  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  causeway. 
It  was  impassable  at  any  other  point,  and  dangerous  everywhere 
else  to  every  living  thing  except  snakes  and  mosquitos.  The  road 


172  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

from  Newbern  to  the  causeway  ran  parallel  with  the  swamp,  and 
did  not  extend  beyond  it,  turning  into  the  causeway  at  right  angles. 
Surveying  this  swamp  from  the  road,  the  writer  recalled  the  lines 
of  the  poet  Moore : 

"  By  that  lake  whose  gloomy  shore 
Sky-lark  never  warbled  o'er.' ' 

The  scene  was  not  only  dismal,  but  silent  as  a  graveyard. 
This  silence,  however,  at  that  time,  was  not  destined  to  last  long. 

The  reader  must  remember  that  the  road  ran  parallel  with  the 
swamp,  and  now  that  the  Union  force  (under  General  Spinola) 
had  come  up,  it  found  itself  in  line  on  this  road,  with  its  right 
resting  at  the  end  or  junction  with  the  causeway.  The  right  of  the 
line  was  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry  then  commanded 
by  Colonel  Fellows,  Colonel  Amory  being  Acting  Brigadier- 
General  on  this  occasion. 

It  would  appear  that  General  Hill,  well  knowing  the  exact 
position  that  Spinola's  troops  must  occupy,  had  caused  his  engineer 
to  measure  with  accuracy  the  distance  between  the  two  lines,  and 
his  artillery  had  their  shell  fuses  cut  to  suit  the  distance,  so  as  to 
quickly  deal  destruction  to  the  Union  forces  as  they  arrived  and 
took  up  position. 

While  approaching  the  scene  of  coming  conflict,  some  colored 
men  cautioned  General  Spinola,  Colonel  Amory  and  others,  of 
the  close  proximity  of  Hill's  army,  remarking  that  there  was  a 
"right  smart  good  lot  of  rebels"  up  there.  Spinola,  Amory  and 
others  did  look  carefully  over  the  ground,  too.  At  the  right  of 
the  line,  or  head  of  the  causeway,  all  any  one  would  need  to  do 
was  to  look  into  the  muzzles  of  Hill's  guns  to  see  the  reception  that 
awaited  the  attacking  force. 

The  place,  which  a  few  minutes  before  was  so  silent,  now 
became  the  scene  of  a  one-sided  conflict,  for  Hill,  having  perfect 
range  of  the  Union  forces,  opened  with  all  his  artillery,  dealing 
death  and  destruction  right  and  left.  Belger's  Battery,  which  wras 
supported  by  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  was  almost  com 
pletely  knocked  out.  Its  captain  and  lieutenant  were  wounded, 


AT  THE  FRONT.  173 

and  had  to  be  removed  from  the  field.  Nearly  all  their  horses 
were  killed  and  many  of  the  men  wounded. 

At  this  juncture,  the  first  piece  of  real  generalship  was  shown 
on  the  Union  side.  It  was  by  Colonel  Fellows,  who  saw  at  a 
glance  that  the  enemy  had  perfect  range  of  our  lines,  and,  waiting 
for  a  lull  in  the  noise  of  battle,  cried  out  in  his  loud  and  very 
musical  voice,  "  Seventeenth,  fall  back."  And  immediately 
after,  in  a  low  tone,  said,  "  Halt !  Lie  down.' ' 

The  enemy  heard  his  command  to  fall  back,  but  not  hearing 
the  second  command  to  halt,  took  it  for  granted  that  the  Union 
troops  had  fallen  back  some  distance,  and  they  lengthened  their 
fuses,  which  caused  the  explosion  of  their  shells  some  distance 
beyond  our  lines. 

There  was  very  little  infantry  firing,  as  the  enemy  was  not  to 
be  seen,  because  of  the  intervening  trees  and  undergrowth.  Belger's 
men  were  frequently  assisted  by  men  of  the  Seventeenth  in  hand 
ling  their  guns.  The  battery  did  splendid  work  and  elicited  great 
praise  from  the  officers  of  rank  in  charge  of  the  movement. 

About  this  time,  Adjutant  Cheever  of  the  Seventeenth  came 
down  the  line,  inquiring  for  Captain  Splaine,  and  said  "  Captain, 
you  are  ordered  to  the  right  of  the  line."  The  captain,  as  he 
received  the  order,  looked  Cheever  in  the  face,  and  thought  he 
saw  signs  of  emotion  which  should  not  belong  there  under  ordinary 
conditions,  and  inquired  hurridly  but  quietly,  "  Cheever,  what  is 
it?' '  Cheever  glanced  at  the  captain,  lowered  his  head  and  said, 
"You  charge  the  causeway."  Captain  Splaine  answered,  "We  will 
charge  it,"  and  at  once  ordered  his  company  to  "Right  dress! 
Front!  Fix  bayonets!"  and  glanced  along  the  line.  His  glances 
were  answered  by  those  of  his  unflinching  men,  ready  to  obey  his 
next  order  with  equal  alacrity.  They  suspected  that  there  was 
something  special,  maybe  something  desperate,  to  be  attended  to. 
"Without  doubling,  right  face!  Support  arms!  Forward,  march!" 
shouted  the  captain,  and  as  the  company  swung  along,  the  com 
mander  said  "Step,  step,  step,  step!"  and  along  they  marched 
with  heads  erect,  preserving  the  cadence  of  the  march,  reached  the 
right  of  the  line  and  reported  to  Colonel  Fellows:  "Halt!  Front! 
Right  dress!  Front!  Present  arms!"  thus  saluting  the  colonel 


174  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Colonel  Fellows  looked  at  Captain  Splaine  and  his  company, 
and  said,  "  Do  you  know  what  you  are  up  here  for?' '  The  captain 
replied  that  he  was  there  to  charge  the  causeway.  "Yes,  sir," 
replied  the  colonel,  "but  you  marched  up  here  as  though  you  were 
going  on  dress  parade."  The  only  answer  of  the  captain  was 
"Colonel,  we  are  soldiers."  "Rest  your  company,  captain,  and 
await  orders."  said  the  colonel.  The  captain  ordered  arms 
and  in  place,  rest. 

Then  he  went  quietly  among  his  men,  telling  them  of  the 
movement  they  were  about  to  undertake,  and  instructing  them 
as  to  what  should  be  done  under  contingencies  that  were  likely 
to  occur  in  case  the  charge  was  made.  While  awaiting  orders  the 
men  examined  their  muskets,  cartridge  boxes,  cap  boxes,  read 
justed  their  belts,  straightened  their  caps,  smoothed  out  their 
blouses,  and  seemed  very  determined  to  be  in  the  best  possible 
trim  when  the  order  came. 

At  this  moment  Colonel  Amory  rode  up,  looked  at  the  com 
pany,  and  asked  Colonel  Fellows,  "What  is  this  company  doing 
here?"  On  being  answered  that  it  was  there  to  charge  the  cause 
way,  he  exclaimed,  "What !  Who  ordered  it?' '  "General  Spinola,' ' 
was  the  answer,  and  then  with  a  painful  look  on  his  face,  he  actually 
scowled  at  Captain  Splaine,  and  said  "Don't  dare  to  move,  sir, 
until  I  return."  His  scowl  was  not  intended  for  the  captain, 
but  for  a  combination  of  circumstances  which  makes  it  possible 
to  have  a  man  in  command  of  an  army  who  didn't  know  any  better 
than  to  order  a  single  company  to  charge  across  a  causeway  into  the 
"jaws  of  death,' '  without  a  solitary  chance  of  securing  correspond 
ing,  or  at  least,  commensurate  results  for  the  sacrifice  that  was 
to  be  made. 

Just  as  Colonel  Amory  was  about  to  turn  his  horse's  head,  a 
shell,  in  its  shrieking  flight,  passed  between  the  colonel  and  his 
horses'  head.  The  big  black  horse  trembled  perceptibly,  but  the 
rider  sat  like  a  statue,  apparently  not  noticing  it.  Colonel  Amory 
then  went  in  quest  of  General  Spinola.  Shells  and  bullets  were 
flying  about  pretty  lively  during  all  this  time ;  many  of  the  men  of 
the  regiment  were  wounded,  but  fortunately  none  were  killed. 


AT  THE  FRONT.  175 

In  a  few  minutes,  Colonel  Amory,  accompanied  by  General 
Spinola,  returned  to  where  he  had  left  the  company  in  question, 
and  then  there  was  fun  for  the  boys.  Colonel  Amory  told  the 
general  that  he  protested  against  sending  that  company  over  the 
causeway,  and  added :  "  If  you  order  it  forward,  I  shall  order  it  back 
and  will  take  the  responsibility!' ' 

Colonel  Amory  was  re-enforced  by  Colonel  Fellows,  and  there 
was  a  lively  time  between  them.  The  upshot  of  this  colloquy 
was  that  this  company  of  the  Seventeenth  was  ordered  back  to 
its  position  in  line.  If  it  had  charged  over  that  causeway,  not  a 
man  would  have  returned  to  tell  the  story. 

Let  me  contrast  the  commanding  officers  in  this  episode  which 
was  so  near  to  a  tragedy.  The  general — well,  we  may  call  him  a 
"bully  boy''  who  knew  comparatively  nothing  about  military 
matters.  He  certainly  was  not  a  great  general.  Colonel  Amory 
was  a  regular  army  officer,  and  as  well  able  to  command  an  army 
as  a  regiment;  tall,  dignified  and  soldierly  in  bearing.  Colonel 
Fellows  was  a  trained  soldier  from  boyhood;  tall,  handsome, 
educated  and  soldierly  in  every  respect.  Think  of  these  two  able 
officers  playing  second  fiddle  to  a  man  who  hardly  knew  the  right 
flank  from  the  left!  Captain  Splaine  thinks  that  they,  by  the  ex 
ercise  of  their  good  judgment  and  firmness  in  dealing  with  an  in 
competent  commander,  saved  his  life  and  the  lives  of  the  men  of  his 
command.  The  company  over  which  so  much  fuss  was  made 
was  Company  A  of  Newburyport. 

This  engagement  of  Blount's  Mills  was  fought  on  April  9, 
1863.  It  may  be  added  that,  though  General  Foster  was  "bottled 
up' '  in  Little  Washington  for  the  time  being,  he  soon  found  a  way 
to  draw  the  cork.  He  had  gone  to  Plymouth  in  the  steamer 
"Escort,"  and  when  the  investment  of  Washington  was  reported 
to  him,  he  took  the  steamer  to  Washington,  where  he  put  the 
defences  in  such  good  shape  that  the  Confederates  paused  before 
making  a  demontration  to  take  the  place.  Finding  the  expedition 
for  the  relief  of  the  beleagured  town  unsuccessful,  he  took  the 
"Escort"  down  the  river  past  the  fort,  under  a  murderous  fire 
from  cannon  and  rifles,  which  riddled  the  upper  works  of  the  steam 
er,  and  arrived  safely  in  Newbern,  where  he  at  once  organized  a 


176  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

new  expedition,  and  within  a  week  marched  to  the  relief  of  Little 
Washington,  the  project  to  capture  which  had  been  given  up 
before  the  arrival  of  the  expedition. 


GUM  SWAMP  EXPEDITION. 

On  May  22,  1863,  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  several 
other  regiments,  some  artillery  and  quite  a  command  of  cavalry, 
under  command  of  General  Innis  N.  Palmer,  proceeded  part  way 
by  rail  to  Gum  Swamp,  where  it  was  known  that  quite  a  large  body 
of  the  enemy  was  basking  in  the  sunlight  of  imagined  security,  and 
doing  a  little  prowling  around  without  much  molestation  from 
Union  forces.  The  expedition  went  in  to  camp  a  short  distance 
from  the  terminus  of  the  railroad,  and  next  day  moved  forward, 
pushing  the  enemy's  skirmishers  before  them.  The  firing  was 
desultory,  with  a  few  wounded  on  each  side.  The  Union  force 
then  camped  for  the  night,  and  next  morning  the  boys  were  pushed 
rapidly  forward,  meeting  the  enemy  in  considerable  force.  A 
line  of  works  was  encountered,  and  after  consultation  between 
General  Palmer  and  the  regimental  commanders,  it  was  decided 
to  move  on  the  works.  There  was  some  artillery  firing,  and  the 
rush  for  the  defences,  which  were  carried,  but  not  until  Colonel 
Jones  of  the  Fifty-eighth  New  York  was  killed,  and  a  few  men  in 
each  regiment  wounded. 

Colonel  Fellows  commanded  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts 
and  Colonel  Amory  was  acting  brigadier-general. 


THE  BARBER  OF  SEVILLE. 

During  the  summer  of  1863,  a  large  body  of  troops,  commanded 
by  Colonel  Amory,  marched  to  Trenton  by  way  of  the  south  side 
of  the  Trent  River.  The  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  under 
Fellows,  wras  part  of  this  force.  The  march  was  tedious,  slow  and 
hot,  and  several  unimportant  skirmishes  with  the  Confederates 
took  up  the  attention  of  the  column  on  the  way.  On  arriving  at 


r\ 


CAPT.  JAMES  SPLAIXE,  Co.  "A." 


SEKGT.  GRAXVILLE  HARDY. 


I 


JAMKS  MrKxiGHT. 


AT  THE  FRONT.  177 

Trenton,  the  whole  force  settled  down  to  await  developments,  as  it 
was  currently  reported  and  believed  that  the  Johnnies  stationed  at 
Kinston  would  come  out  and  try  conclusions  with  the  Yanks. 
The  men  were  taking  a  good  rest,  and  having  ample  shelter  from 
the  sun,  were  quite  happy,  yet  constantly  on  the  watch  against 
surprise. 

After  the  troops  had  been  resting  for  about  three  days,  Captain 
McNamara  of  Company  E,  Seventeenth,  was  possessed  of  the  idea 
that  he  needed  a  shave,  and  summoned  the  regimental  barber, 
Jack  O'Hara,  to  do  the  work.  "Give  me  a  shave,  Jack,"  said  the 
captain.  "All  right,  captain,"  responded  Jack,  who,  by  the  way, 
was  a  member  of  the  captain's  company,  "I  will  be  with  you  in  a 
moment."  In  a  few  minutes  he  returned  with  a  tin  dipper  and  a 
lathering  brush.  The  next  thing  was  to  find  a  seat  for  the  captain. 
This  was  found  in  the  shape  of  one  of  twin  trees  that  had  been  cut 
down,  leaving  the  other  standing.  Seated  on  this  stump,  with  his 
back  leaning  against  the  tree,  the  captain  waited  for  the  tonsorial 
artist  to  begin.  Jack  got  up  a  rattling  lather,  which  he  spread 
thickly  over  the  captain's  face.  He  then  put  his  hand  in  the 
pocket  where  he  usually  kept  his  razor,  but  no  razor  was  to  be 
found,  and  it  now  dawned  on  him  that  he  had  forgotten  that  in 
strument  which  was  left  in  camp  forty  miles  away.  "  My  heavens, 
captain,  I  have  left  my  razor  in  the  camp !' '  The  captain,  thinking 
he  was  about  to  lose  his  shave,  which  he  needed  badly,  exclaimed, 
"The  devil,  damn  you,  you  fool,  what  did  you  do  that  for?" 
Jack  said,  "Please,  captain,  don't  be  angry,  and  I  will  run  down  the 
line  and  borrow  a  razor."  And  he  departed.  But  he  never  came 
back.  His  attempt  to  borrow  a  razor  was  fruitless,  and  fearing 
the  consequences  of  the  captain's  wrath,  he  did  not  show  up,  and 
was  not  seen  by  the  captain  during  the  rest  of  that  short  campaign. 
With  Captain  McNamara  was  his  trusted  friend,  Captain  Henry 
Splaine.  When  it  became  evident  to  the  latter  that  Jack  was  not 
coming  back,  the  reason  for  which  he  guessed,  and  as  McNamara 
was  about  as  mad  as  a  March  hare,  he  tried  to  comfort  him,  as  well 
as  mollify  his  wrath,  by  excusing  Jack,  whom  he  suggested,  think 
ing  that  the  expedition  was  only  for  a  day  or  so,  did  not  think  it 
worth  while  to  take  his  razor  with  him,  and  the  same  reason  no 


178  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

doubt  prevailed  with  many  other  owners  of  razors;  but  of  course, 
he  would  yet  find  one  somewhere,  and  would  no  doubt  be  back 
soon. 

It  may  be  stated  that  near  where  the  officers  were  there  was  a 
dense  willow  hedge  of  stunted  growth.  The  two  actors  in  this 
comedy,  it  was  evident  could  not  see  through  that  hedge.  If  they 
could,  probably  this  story  would  never  have  been  told.  Captain 
Splaine  now  said  to  his  friend,  after  his  effort  to  soothe  his  wrath, 
"Captain,  I  have  often  heard  that  it  was  a  bad  thing  to  allow 
lather  to  dry  on  one's  face,  as  it  was  likely  to  make  the  face  sore,  or 
maybe  cause  skin  disease.  Now,  if  you  will  consent,  I  will  keep 
the  lather  moist  until  Jack  returns."  Mac  consenting,  Captain 
Splaine  proceeded  to  lather  his  face,  and  so  industrious  was  he  in 
his  new  job  that  in  a  short  time  the  lather  on  Mac's  face  stood  out 
in  bold  relief. 

During  this  operation,  Splaine  was  most  voluble,  his  victim 
submitting  quietly,  but  hoping  that  Jack  would  soon  return  with 
the  razor.  Finally,  seeing  that  he  could  do  no  more  in  the  lather 
ing  business,  Splaine  now  said :  "  Mac,  I  am  now  satisfied  that  Jack 
has  been  unable  to  borrow  a  razor,  and  is  afraid  to  come  back  with 
out  one.  I  think,  therefore,  I  had  better  shave  you  myself.' ' 

Thereupon,  Captain  Splaine  drew  his  sword,  holding  it  in  his 
right  hand,  and  seizing  the  end  of  Captain  Mac's  nose  between  the 
thumb  and  forefinger  of  the  left  hand,  proceeded  to  shave  his  vic 
tim  in  a  most  unheard-of  way.  He  scraped  and  scraped,  tearing 
off  heaps  of  lather,  and  no  beard,  for  of  course  the  sword  wasn't 
sharp  enough  to  shave  a  scalded  pig.  This  curious  scene  lasted 
for  a  while,  until  the  victim  began  to  realize  the  ludicrousness  of 
the  situation,  and  begged  Splaine  to  desist.  This  the  latter  was 
loth  to  do,  when  Mac  was  seized  with  a  fit  of  laughter.  He  was  not 
the  only  one,  however,  who  was  moved  in  this  way  by  the  comic- 
cality  of  the  scene,  for,  from  behind  the  willow  hedge  came  a 
chorus  of  laughter.  Mac  continued  to  laugh,  and  in  doing  so, 
gulped  down  enough  of  the  lather  to  nearly  strangle  him.  Splaine, 
however,  scampered  off  as  quickly  as  he  could,  for  in  the  laughter 
beyond  the  hedge,  he  recognized  familiar  tones.  As  he  went  away, 
he  wiped  the  lather  off  his  sword,  so  that  his  men  wouldn't  suspect 


AT  THE  FRONT.  179 

anything  funny,  for  he  was  a  rather  strict  disciplinarian,  and  on 
duty  something  of  a  martinet. 

After  a  while  he  joined  his  company  and  laid  down  a  little  way 
from  the  men  to  get  a  rest,  but  he  wasn't  permitted  to  rest  long. 
An  orderly  from  regimental  headquarters  came  along,  speaking 
in  turn  to  each  commissioned  officer,  saying:  " Wanted  at  head 
quarters,  sir/'  The  same  message  was  for  Captain  Splaine,  who 
joined  the  other  officers  as  they  moved  to  headquarters,  all  wonder 
ing  what  was  up.  Splaine  suggested  that  perhaps  a  new  move  was 
on  foot,  such  as  taking  a  dash  at  the  outskirts  of  Kinston,  have  ago 
at  the  rebs,  and  then  fall  back  on  Newbern  over  the  Neuse  road. 

When  all  had  reached  Colonel  Fellows'  headquarters,  they  were 
cordially  received  by  him.  He  said,  "Gentlemen,  the  day  is  warm, 
and  I  know  you  must  be  tired  waiting  around  here,  and  in  order  to 
break  the  monotony,  I  have  invited  you  here,  and  have  ordered 
Sergeant  Rankin  to  give  each  of  you  a  little  medicine,  and  as  you 
drink  it,  I  want  you  to  drink  to  the  health  of  "The  Barber  of  Se 
ville.''  The  majority  of  the  officers  were  puzzled  at  the  curious 
request,  but  two  of  their  number  suspected  what  it  implied.  It  may 
be  explained  that  about  that  time  there  was  on  the  boards  in  the 
North  and  West  the  opera  of  "The  Barber  of  Seville.' ' 

As  captain  Splaine  approached  headquarters,  he  saw  on  his 
left  the  identical  willow  hedge  behind  which  he  had  shaved  Cap 
tain  McXamara  a  half  hour  before,  and  now,  coupling  the  title  of 
the  toast  with  the  scene  behind  that  hedge,  he  concluded  that 
laughter  which  he  had  heard  was  in  reality  that  of  the  whole  field 
and  staff,  including  Colonel  Amory,  from  the  piazza  of  the  house 
in  which  they  were  now  drinking  the  health  of  "The  Barber  of 
Seville." 

The  medicine  disposed  of,  Colonel  Fellows  said:  "Gentle 
men,  give  me  your  attention  for  a  moment,  and  I  will  tell  you  what 
I  meant  when  I  asked  you  to  drink  the  health  of  "'The  Barber  of 
Seville!" 

Then  he  related  what  he  and  the  others  of  the  field  and  staff  had 
witnessed  beyond  the  willow  hedge.  The  officers  greatly  enjoyed 
the  story  as  Colonel  Fellows  related  it,  But  Splaine,  though  he 


180  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

felt  like  laughing  with  the  rest,  remained  silent  and  enjoyed  the 
joke  of  drinking  to  his  own  health. 


PLENTY  OF  WATER  DOWN  THERE. 

In  the  summer  of  1863,  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  was  ordered 
to  Swift  Creek  to  destroy  or  capture  a  force  of  Confederates  that 
had  full  sway  in  that  section.  The  command,  under  Lieut.  Col. 
John  F.  Fellows,  took  steamer  up  the  Neuse  River  to  a  landing 
about  eight  miles  from  that  village.  While  going  slowly  up  the 
river,  the  weather  being  too  hot  for  comfort  on  deck,  the  officers 
gathered  in  the  cabin,  and  passed  the  time  pleasantly  in  telling 
stories.  Among  the  stories  told  was  one  about  a  gentleman  who 
had  an  unfortunate  impediment  in  his  speech,  and  who  resorted  to 
many  expedients  to  hide  or  amend  it.  The  story  was  a  good  one, 
and  elicited  many  expressions  of  sympathy  from  all  who  heard  it. 

Among  the  listeners  to  the  story  was  Captain  J.  R.  Symonds 
of  Company  K,  who  said  that  it  reminded  him  of  a  story  about  the 
mate  of  a  ship,  who  had  an  impediment  of  speech,  which  compelled 
him  to  say  all  he  had  to  say  by  singing  it.  The  captain  was  a  good 
story-teller,  and  had  a  way  of  his  own  that  was  hard  to  imitate. 

The  story  was  that  a  ship  was  approaching  the  coast  of  New 
England  in  foggy  weather,  and  the  captain  being  a  very  careful 
man,  and  desiring  to  make  doubly  sure  of  his  whereabouts,  ordered 
his  mate  to  throw  the  lead.  The  mate  was  the  one  already  men 
tioned,  who  had  the  impediment,  and  as  he  hauled  up  the  lead 
after  his  first  sounding,  sang  out  (to  the  air  of  the  hymn  "There 
will  be  no  more  sorrow  there' ')  "  There  is  plenty  of  water  down 
here-r-r-ah!"  At  the  next  throw  of  the  lead  he  sang:  "Full  fifty 
fathoms  down  here-r-r-ah!"  At  the  third  trial  he  warbled:  "Oh, 
there  are  twenty-five  fathoms  down  here-r-r-ah!' '  And  once  more 
he  shouted:  "Only  ten  fathoms  down  here-r-r-ah!"  Again  he 
shouted  with  all  the  power  o  his  lungs,  finding  the  water  rapidly 
shoaling:  "I  would  have  you  keep  clear  of  here-r-r-ah!"  And 
then  the  danger  became  so  apparent  to  the  mate  that  he  forgot  the 
impediment  in  his  speech,  and  shouted,  excitedly,  "For  heaven's 


AT  THE  FRONT.  181 

sake,  Captain,  put  her  about  at  once!"  The  shock  occasioned  by 
a  full  realization  of  the  danger  the  ship  was  in,  cured  him  of  the 
impediment. 

The  officers  listened  with  unusual  interest  and  attention  to 
Captain  Symonds'  recital,  which  was  made  more  realistic  by  the 
way  in  which  he  acted  the  part  of  throwing  the  lead  by  the  mate. 

Just  as  he  concluded  his  story  the  steamer  came  to  a  stop  and 
anchored,  the  captain  of  the  boat  explaining  that  the  water  was  too 
shoal  to  permit  him  to  approach  the  landing-pier,  and  the  troops 
could  not  land  until  the  scows,  which  were  being  towed  by  another 
steamer,  came  up.  After  a  short  wait,  the  scows  came  up  and 
landed  the  troops.  Captain  Symonds,  with  Company  K,  was 
among  the  last  to  reach  the  landing,  and  the  captain,  who  could 
not  swim,  in  attempting  to  get  on  the  wiiarf,  fell  into  the  water. 
There  was  excitement  among  the  officers  and  men,  and  efforts 
were  made  to  save  the  captain  by  the  men  of  his  company.  When 
the  captain  struck  the  water,  he  went  down,  and  when  he  came  up, 
there  was  "Gurgle,  gurgle,  blub-blub-save  me!  Save  me!"  At 
the  most  there  wasn't  over  seven  or  eight  feet  of  water,  and  it  was 
dollars  to  pennies  that  he  would  come  out  all  right. 

When  the  captain  came  to  the  surface,  he  flung  his  arms  around 
one  of  the  wharf  piles,  and  in  this  position  uttered  his  appeal  to  be 
saved.  Just  as  he  spoke,  one  of  the  officers  who  heard  his  story 
on  the  steamboat,  in  a  spirit  of  mischief,  leaned  out  over  the  wharf 
and  shouted:  "Captain  Symonds!"  But  the  only  response  of 
the  captain  was:  "Save  me!  save  me!"  He  called  to  the  im 
perilled  man  several  times,  who  finally  said:  "Yes,  yes;  what  is 
it?"  And  then  the  officer  (whom  we  shall  call  Captain  S.)  sang 
in  a  loud  voice  to  the  tune  employed  by  the  mate)  "Is  there 
plenty  of  water  down  there-r-r-ah?' ' 

Captain  Symonds  was  mad  clean  through,  used  many  words 
not  to  be  found  in  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  threatened  that  when 
he  reached  terra  firma  he  would  bring  the  joker  to  a  speedy  and 
disastrous  reckoning. 

The  captain  was  rescued  from  his  unpleasant  position,  and  a 
few  minutes  afterwards  took  command  of  his  company  like  a  little 
man,  up  to  Swift  Creek,  which  was  just  ten  miles  distant.  One  of 


182  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

the  captains  in  that  regiment  steered  clear  of  another  one  for  a 
few  days,  or  until  the  anger  of  Symonds  had  subsided,  and  when 
they  did  meet,  the  jolly  good  old  captain  enjoyed  the  joke  about  as 
well  as  any  of  the  others.  It  was  related  of  Captain  Symonds  by 
his  intimates  that,  though  noted  as  a  good  story-teller,  he  never 
afterwards  told  the  story  of — "Oh,  there's  plenty  of  water  down 
there-r-r-ah  F ; 

WINTON  OR  MT.  TABOR  CHURCH. 

On  July  24,  1863,  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  under 
Lieut. -Col.  John  F.  Fellows,  went  on  board  a  transport  and  sailed 
from  Newbern,  and  made  a  landing  on  the  Chowan  River,  near 
Winton,  two  days  afterwards.  Here  the  Seventeenth  was  joined 
by  several  other  regiments  and  a  battery  of  artillery,  all  under 
command  of  General  Heckman.  Shortly  after  landing,  the  troops 
were  pushed  forward,  with  the  Seventeenth  in  advance.  After  a 
march  of  about  a  mile,  the  expedition  came  upon  a  line  of  earth 
works,  behind  which  the  army  appeared  to  be  in  force.  Company 
G,  under  Lieut.  C.  O.  Fellows,  formed  the  skirmish  line  here.  The 
firing  was  pretty  lively,  the  rebels  defending  their  position  stub 
bornly,  and  a  portion  of  the  Seventeenth  was  moved  up  to  support 
the  skirmishers.  Lieut-Col.  Fellows  formed  from  column  into  line 
and  moved  forward.  Company  B,  under  Captain  Enoch  F.Tomp- 
kins,  got  the  advance  and  was  first  in  the  works. 

Lieutenant  J.  A.  Moore,  with  ten  men  of  Company  B  as  skir 
mishers  now  advanced  on  the  double-quick,  and  when  about  seven 
ty-five  yards  from  the  second  line  of  works  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  creek,  the  rebels  fired  a  volley  which  went  over  the  skirmishers 
and  wounded  three  men  in  the  regiment  in  the  rear.  Lieutenant 
Moore  was  the  first  man  to  cross  on  the  stringers  of  the  bridge — 
the  enemy  having  thrown  the  planks  into  the  stream — and  the  first 
into  the  works  and  through  the  rebel  camp.  The  rebels  retreated 
pell-mell. 

Several  men  of  the  Seventeenth  were  slightly  wounded,  Cap 
tain  Splaine  being  wounded  in  the  left  arm.  In  crossing  the  dis 
mantled  bridge  several  of  the  men  slipped  off  the  stringers  and  got 


AT  THE  FRONT.  183 

a  ducking  in  the  creek.  The  rebels,  in  their  haste,  left  their  garri 
son  flag,  which  was  flying  when  Lieutenant  Moore's  skirmishers 
went  through  the  camp.  The  garrison  flag,  however,  never  be 
came  United  States  property,  for  the  reason  that  a  certain  captain 
who  was  willing  to  rest  while  others  were  chasing  the  enemy,  took 
possession  of  it,  secreted  it,  and  finally  sent  it  home  to  his  family. 

General  Heckman  thanked  Colonel  Fellows  and  his  command 
for  their  gallantry  during  the  fighting  of  the  day. 


THE  CAPTAIN'S  SHOWER  BATH. 

During  the  hot  days  of  1863,  when  the  Seventeenth  was  sta 
tioned  on  the  south  side  of  the  Trent  River,  the  officers  and  men 
found  it  pretty  difficult  to  get  a  comfortable  or  clean  wash  or  bath 
because  the  river  was  muddy,  and  was  dangerous  to  bathe  in,  on 
account  of  the  water-snakes,  alligators  and  other  undesirable 
things  in  it,  one  man  having  lost  his  life  the  previous  year  by  a 
snake  bite  while  bathing.  But  even  with  this  experience,  many  of 
the  men  and  some  of  the  officers  risked  it,  and  \vould  take  a  dip 
in  the  water  sooner  than  go  dirty,  and  to  cool  off  in  the  hot  days 
after  a  hard  day's  drill  or  march. 

Among  the  officers  was  one  who  did  not  go  into  the  muddy 
waters  of  the  river.  He  frequently  lectured  his  fellow-officers  be 
cause  they  were  not  as  wise  as  he  was  in  providing  a  suitable  equip 
ment  for  taking  a  comfortable  wash  and  shower  bath  without  risk 
ing  the  doubtful  and  dangerous  aid  of  the  river  water. 

The  other  officers  knew  about  the  captain's  hygienic  outfit, 
but  didn't  think  much  about  it,  or  regarded  it  as  a  fad  of  his.  He 
was  certainly  cleanly  in  his  habits  and  dress,  and  was  fond  of  good 
things  to  eat.  He  would  boast  of  these  good  things,  and  tell  how 
fond  he  was  of  fresh  "  cukes' '  and  sweet  June  butter.  He  certainly 
liked  good  eatables,  but  he  enjoyed  them  alone,  for  he  never  asked 
a  brother  officer  to  dine  or  sup  with  him.  He  was  fond  of  other 
things,  not  so  palatable  to  others.  He  was  cruel  and  tyrannical 
to  the  men  of  his  company,  and  to  those  of  other  companies  when 
they  happened  to  be  under  his  command. 


184  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

When  enlisted  men  would  forget  to  observe  in  the  smallest  de 
tail  some  rule  of  military  etiquette— rules  sometimes  unnecessary 
and  often  unwise — he  was  fond  of  making  them  march  around  in 
the  hot  sun,  carrying  a  log  of  wood  on  their  shoulders  as  punish 
ment.  As  a  military  man  he  was  not  in  it  with  many  of  the  other 
officers.  He  was  proud,  selfish  and  overbearing,  and  never  was  a 
favorite  with  either  officers  or  men,  or  even  with  a  small  minority 
of  them.  (When  the  surviving  officers  and  men  of  the  regiment 
read  this  anecdote,  they  will  not  have  to  be  told  the  captain's 
name.) 

Well,  once  on  a  time  three  of  the  officers  conspired  to  give  that 
captain  a  shower  bath  that  he  was  not  prepared  for,  and  they  did 
it  in  good  shape.  The  captain's  apparatus  was  rigged  in  his  bell 
tent.  It  was  a  wooden  structure  about  eight  feet  high,  upon  which 
was  supported  a  tin  pan  of  about  eight  gallons  capacity,  with  a 
perforated  bottom,  and  just  above  it  was  a  small  wash-tub  hung 
on  a  pivot.  Attached  to  the  top  side  of  the  tub  was  a  strong  cord, 
which  when  pulled  by  him,  would  empty  the  tub  into  the  pan,  the 
result  being  a  cooling  shower  in  the  operation. 

One  day  when  the  captain  was  away  from  his  tent,  the  con 
spirators  had  the  tub  filled  with  river  \vater,  and  meeting  him  when 
strolling  about  the  parade  ground,  entered  into  conversation. 
One  of  them  suggested  that  it  was  a  good  day  to  have  a  swim.  The 
other  said,  "No;  the  sun  is  too  hot,  and  I  hate  to  go  into  that 
muddy  river."  The  captain  said,  "I  have  been  telling  you  folks 
for  a  long  time  how  you  could  have  a  nice  bath  in  your  own  camp 
at  any  time,  and  it  doesn't  cost  much  to  do  it."  Another  of  the 
officers  said,  "How  do  you  do  it?  I  never  saw  anything  of  the 
kind."  Thereupon  the  captain  said,  "Come  along  and  I  will 
show  you  all  about  it,"  and  remarked  that  he  had  had  a  splendid 
bath  about  two  hours  before. 

The  four  officers  entered  the  tent  where  the  outfit  was,  pro 
ceeded  to  inspect  it,  and  asked  many  questions  about  it,  as  to  the 
cost  of  the  rig  and  its  operation.  The  captain  readily  answered 
the  queries,  explaining  its  simplicity  of  operation,  and  to  illustrate 
the  working  of  it,  stood  under  the  pan  and  said,  "You  stand  right 
here,  and  after  giving  yourself  a  good  rubbing  with  soap,  you  pull 


AT  THE  FRONT.  185 

this  cord  and  the  tub  empties  its  contents  into  the  pan,  the  shower 
then  comes  from  there  upon  you,  cleansing  and  cooling  you  at  the 
same  time."  Suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  he  pulled  the  cord, 
the  tub  discharged  its  contents,  the  pan  did  its  work  cheerfully, 
and  the  captain  got  a  shower  bath  he  had  not  bargained  for. 

To  say  that  he  was  surprised  and  thoroughly  mad  is  putting 
it  mildly.  He  was  furious,  and  swore  that  if  he  knew  who  played 
that  trick  on  him  he  wouldn't  hesitate  to  kill  him.  His  handsome 
uniform,  it  can  be  conceived,  presented  a  sad  appearance.  He  was 
compelled  to  take  another  bath,  and  send  the  uniform  to  a  tailor 
in  the  city  to  be  cleaned,  dried  and  pressed. 

Just  who  the  three  conspiring  officers  were  (they  had  prevailed 
upon  their  servants  to  fill  the  tub  with  river  water,  and  mum  was 
the  word)  deponent  saith  not ;  but  one  of  them  is  alive  and  well  at 
this  writing,  and  tells  the  story  with  much  gusto. 


HE  DIDN'T  BLAME  THE  CAPTAIN. 

During  the  early  summer  of  1863,  the  Union  and  Confederate 
forces  stationed  near  and  about  Newbern  and  Kingston,  N.  C., 
respectively,  were  comparatively  inactive.  The  weather  was 
warm  and  because  of  the  lull  in  activity,  the  inhabitants  of  the 
neutral  zone  had  a  season  of  rest.  During  this  season  of  quiet  the 
duties  of  the  Union  troops  were  mainly  of  the  routine  order,  such 
as  batallion  drills,  company  drills,  guard  duty  and  dress  parade. 

During  this  period  of  rest,  the  commanding  officers  of  the 
regiment  and  other  commands  were  indulgent  to  their  men, 
permitting  various  kinds  of  amusement  unknown  to  soldiers 
employed  in  more  active  campaigning.  The  enlisted  men  were 
given  passes  to  almost  anywhere  within  the  lines  of  the  Union 
army,  but  generally  they  all  headed  to  Newbern,  where  they  had  a 
chance  to  do  a  little  shopping  and  get  lunch  and  refreshments  of 
a  better  order  than  the  sutler  could  furnish.  They  also  availed 
themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  visit  friends  in  other  regiments 
and  fraternize  with  new  friends  and  acquaintances  among  them. 


186  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Among  the  men  indulged  with  liberal  passes  was  John  C— n-y 
of  Company  A,  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry.  On  the 
occasion  in  question  John  made  his  way  from  the  camp  of  the 
Seventeenth  Regiment,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Trent  River,  to 
Newbern.  He  was  a  good  fellow,  an  honorable  man,  and  above 
all,  a  brave  American  soldier,  with  an  intense  love  for  his  country. 
While  in  Newbern,  he  met  many  kindred  spirits,  as  good  and  as 
loyal  men  as  he  was.  They  lunched  and  refreshed  together,  and 
discussed  the  war  situation  until  their  loyalty  was  at  fever  heat. 
They  cared  nothing  for  any  country  but  the  United  States.  They 
knew  no  flag  but  Old  Glory. 

Well,  the  day  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and  John,  like  his 
associates,  started  for  camp,  which  he  reached  late  in  the  after 
noon.  On  his  way  to  camp,  he  no  doubt  brooded  over  the  senti 
ments  enunciated  by  himself  and  pleasant  associates  of  the  day, 
and  the  spirit  of  patriotism,  etc.,  stirred  him  to  the  depths.  In 
fact,  John's  American  eagle  soared  high  and,  circling  round  in  the 
blue  air  above  the  sordid  earth,  was  ready  to  swoop  down  upon 
anything  offensive  to  John's  high  notions  of  true  and  loyal  Ameri 
canism.  (John,  it  may  be  said  parenthetically,  was  of  Irish  parents, 
born  in  Boston  and  educated  there,  and  was  a  fine  specimen  of  a 
good,  kind,  generous  and  brave  Irish-American  boy — gentle  to  all, 
except  when  his  patriotic  Americanism  was  aroused,  and  then — but 
to  our  story.) 

As  he  entered  the  camp  in  this  mood,  John  saw  Mike  Sullivan 
(an  Irishman,  a  foreigner),  another  member  of  Company  A, 
coming  across  the  parade  ground.  In  the  mood  he  was  then  in, 
the  sight  of  Mike  aroused  and  intensified  John's  Americanism  until 
all  the  Irishism  in  his  nature  was  overwhelmed.  It  maddened  him, 
and  rushing  at  Mike  in  true  Know-Nothing  style,  called  him  an 
"  Irish  son-of-a-gun."  He  struck  at  Mike  and  continued  to  call 
him  that  same  funny  name.  His  blows  were  numerous,  hard 
and  rapid,  and  had  it  not  been  that  Mike  was  an  athletic  fellow 
and  well  able  to  parry  the  blows,  he  might  have  suffered.  He 
did  not  take  the  offensive,  being  too  busy  defending  himself. 

John's  captain,  Henry  Splaine,  was  in  his  tent  about  100  feet 
away  from  the  curious  encounter,  and  upon  the  first  hostile  move 


AT  THE  FRONT.  187 

on  John's  part  was  inclined  to  interfere,  but  upon  hearing  the 
language  used  by  John,  he  sat  back  and  laughed  himself  almost  sick 
at  the  fun,  though,  of  course,  if  the  thing  had  gone  too  far,  he 
would  have  put  a  stop  to  it.  First  Sergeant  Joseph  C.  Richardson 
of  Newburyport  also  witnessed  the  encounter.  He  rushed 
forward,  separated  the  men,  and  sent  John  to  his  tent  until  further 
orders.  A  number  of  the  men  of  the  company  also  saw  the  en 
counter,  but  made  no  talk  about  it. 

That  evening  at  roll-call,  Sergeant  Richardson,  in  calling  the 
names  of  the  men,  omitted  that  of  C-n-y.  The  captain,  looking 
at  the  Sergeant,  remarked:  "I  observe  that  you  skipped  the  name 
of  C-n-y.  Why  did  you  do  that?' ' 

The  sergeant,  who  was  not  a  tatler,  approached  the  officer, 
and  saluting  him,  said  in  a  low  tone:  "When  C-n-y  came  back 
from  pass  this  afternoon  he  was  somewhat  irate  and  had  a  little 
difficulty  with  Mike  Sullivan.  Fearing  they  might  become 
bad  friends,  I  restrained  John  and  ordered  him  to  remain  in  his 
tent  until  further  orders."  The  captain  then  inquired  "Has  he 
calmed  down,  and  is  he  now  fit  for  duty?' '  The  sergeant  replying 
in  the  affirmative,  the  captain  ordered  the  man  restored  to  duty. 

Thus  matters  stood  for  several  days,  when  the  truce  which 
one  would  imagine  had  existed  between  the  opposing  armies  was 
suddenly  broken  by  the  Johnnies,  who  became  decidedly  hostile 
and  aggressive.  They  made  a  lively  demonstration  towards 
Batchelder's  Creek,  placing  our  troops  there  on  the  defensive, 
the  commanders  of  the  companies  of  the  Seventeenth  were  sum 
moned  to  Colonel  Fellows'  tent,  informed  of  the  situation  and 
ordered  to  supply  their  men  with  three  days'  cooked  rations  and 
sixty  rounds  of  ammunition,  as  the  regiment  would  march  early 
next  morning  for  the  scene  of  hostilities. 

An  early  start  was  made  the  next  morning,  the  command 
reaching  its  destination  early  in  the  afternoon.  Colonel  Fellows' 
command  was  thrown  forward  with  orders  to  do  picket  duty,  and 
use  every  precaution  to  guard  against  surprise  by  the  enemy. 
Captain  Splaine  was  ordered  to  picket  a  certain  section  of  the  front 
line,  and  after  carefully  looking  into  the  situation,  detailed  a 
certain  number  of  the  men  for  that  duty,  and  ordered  Sergeant 


188  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

J.  Q.A.Johnson  to  post  the  men  at  points  already  explained  by  him. 
In  about  an  hour's  time,  the  sergeant  returned  and  reported 
that  he  hadn't  men  enough  to  cover  all  the  posts  shown  him. 
One  post  was  still  to  be  filled.  "-Is  this  a  very  important  post, 
sergeant?' '  The  sergeant  said  it  was  the  most  important  post  of 
the  lot,  adding  that  he  must  have  an  extra  good  man  there,  as  with 
out  such  a  man  the  enemy  might  get  through,  turn  our  flank  and 
endanger  the  wThole  regiment. 

The  captain  paused,  looked  along  the  line  of  the  company, 
and  said:  "Well,  sergeant,  if  this  post  is  as  important  as  you  say,  it 
behooves  us  to  put  the  best  man  we  have  on  that  post."  He 
added:  " Sergeant,  put  none  but  Americans  on  guard  tonight. 
Put  C-n-y  there."  There  was  a  dead  silence  for  a  moment,  but 
the  boys  could  not  stand  it  any  longer,  and  they  snickered  very 
perceptibly  along  the  line.  Sullivan  never  budged,  but  looked 
squarely  to  the  front,  yet  one  could  see  that  his  face  took  on  a 
flush;  but  poor  C-n-y,  who  became  fully  alive  to  the  importance 
of  the  order,  shouldered  arms,  marched  two  paces  to  the  front, 
threw  his  left  arm  across  his  musket,  giving  the  sergeant's  salute, 
and  said : 

"  Captain,  I  don't  blame  you. " 

He  went  to  that  important  post  to  do  his  duty  as  a  true 
soldier,  and  right  well  he  did  it,  as  he  always  had  done. 

The  joke  on  C-n-y  soon  became  common  property,  and  often 
the  boys  were  wont  to  say,  when  the  occasion  seemed  to  warrant 
it:  "Put  none  but  Americans  on  guard  tonight."  This  saying 
survived  while  the  company  was  in  service,  and  often  since  at 
company  or  regimental  reunions,  when  the  men  indulged  in  anec 
dotes  about  their  service  in  the  army,  the  story  of  John  C-n-y 
and  Mike  Sullivan  was  sure  to  be  told,  always  ending  with  "Put 
none  but  Americans  on  guard  tonight.' ' 

John,  at  this  writing,  is  alive  and  well,  and  is  a  good  and 
respected  citizen,  as  he  deserves  to  be.  Some  three  months  ago 
of  this  year  (1909)  John  called  at  the  State  House  in  Boston  to  see 
his  old  captain,  now  Colonel  Splaine,  and  told  the  story  himself, 
as  above  related,  and  no  one  present  enjoyed  the  anecdote  more 
than  John,  himself.  Some  of  John's  old  comrades  asked  Colonel 


AT  THE  FRONT.  189 

Splaine  recently  why  or  how  John  could  have  spoken  to  poor 
Mike  as  he  did  on  that  occasion.  The  colonel  smiled  and  said 
"I  guess  John  must  have  been  attacked  by  that  new  malady  called 
'dementia  Americana,'  " 


CAPTAIN  MAC  AND  THE  LAUGHING   MULE. 

In  the  fall  of  1863,  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  was  snugly 
housed  in  barracks  on  the  south  side  of  the  Trent  River,  near 
Newbern,  N.  C.  The  principal  duty  of  the  regiment  was  company 
and  battalion  drills  and  dress  parade.  Detachments  were  sta 
tioned  at  Evans'  Mills,  Beech  Grove  Station  and  Brice's  Ferry. 
The  company  drills  were  conducted  on  the  open  plain  beyond, 
and  in  full  view  of  the  camp  and  Colonel  Fellows'  headquarters. 
These  drills  were  interesting,  because  the  men  had  become  as 
proficient  in  drill  and  discipline  as  regulars,  and  their  officers 
knew  their  business  to  a  T.  The  battalion  drills  during  the  after 
noons  were  sights  worth  seeing.  Colonel  Fellows  commanded  at 
all  these  drills,  he  being  the  active  commander  nearly  all  of  the 
time,  as  Colonel  Amory  was  almost  invariably  detached  as  brigade 
commander,  and  at  times  performing  even  higher  duties. 

These  drills  under  Colonel  Fellows  would  put  any  regular 
army  officers  to  the  blush.  Fellows,  the  superb  drill-master, 
would  put  the  regiment  through  a  course  of  evolutions  that  would 
thrill  the  beholder.  There  he  was,  that  handsome,  elegant  gentle 
man,  every  inch  a  soldier,  his  great  stentorian,  yet  musical  voice, 
ringing  out,  to  be  easily  heard  a  mile  away,  giving  orders  that  none 
but  skilled  veterans  could  obey,  for  it  required  a  knowledge  of 
tactics  and  drill  on  the  part  of  the  men,  as  well  as  the  officers,  to 
obey  such  intricate  orders  as  he  gave.  It  would  be  "Double 
column  at  half  distance — march!"  Form  square,  double  quick- 
March!"  "Reduce  square — march!"  "Right  companies,  right 
into  line,  wheel!"  "Left  companies,  on  the  right  into  line, 
battalion  guide  right,  double  quick— march!"  "To  form  oblique 
square;  guides  on  the  line;  column  at  half  distance,  by  division, 
on  third  division,  right  in  front,  double  quick — march"  "Right 
and  left  wheel,  double  quick — march !  Guides  post,  fix  bayonets !' ' 


190  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

These  movements  are  only  a  sample  of  what  was  ordered  by 
this  fine  drill  master,  and  as  promptly  and  exactly  executed  by 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  battalions.  The  best  official  function 
of  the  day  was  dress  parade.  On  these  occasions  every  man,  from 
the  colonel  to  the  drummer  boy,  looked  his  best.  What  a  hand 
some  line  those  boys  would  form.  Their  accoutrements  shone 
brightly;  their  arms  glistened  in  the  sun;  their  poise  was  admirable, 
their  soldierly  bearing  superb;  not  a  waver  nor  a  motion,  while  the 
music  played  from  right  to  left  and  from  left  to  right  again,  as  the 
line  stood  at  parade  rest.  The  adjutant  would  command:  "At 
tention,  battalion!  Present  arms!"  salutes  his  colonel,  retires  to 
the  rear  of  the  commanding  officer,  and  then  Colonel  Fellows  would 
resume  command,  ordering  "Shoulder  arms!"  and  such  other 
orders  as  he  deemed  fit,  his  musical  voice  vibrating  in  the  silent 
air.  The  orders  of  the  day  and  other  instructions  were  then  read 
by  the  adjutant,  and  then  the  companies  were  dismissed  for  the 
day. 

The  active  duties  of  the  day  disposed  of,  the  officers  were 
wont  to  gather  in  small  groups  to  enjoy  themselves  as  circum 
stances  would  permit,  and  if  the  evening  happened  to  be  cool  they 
would  naturally  seek  the  society  of  one  another  in  their  quarters. 
But  as  time  wore  on,  the  quarters  of  the  more  popular  officers 
became  the  resort  of  the  greater  number.  One  of  the  most  popular 
was  Lieutenant  Charles  0.  Fellows — tall,  handsome,  brave, 
dashing,  hospitable,  entertaining — a  worthy  son  of  his  gallant 
father,  Colonel  Fellows.  If  any  officer  failed  to  be  properly 
entertained  in  Lieutenant  Fellows'  quarters  it  was  surely  his  own 
fault. 

It  was  in  these  quarters,  when  they  came  together,  that  the 
officers  rallied  one  another  about  mistakes  made  at  drill,  dress 
parade,  or  performing  some  other  duty  equally  important.  The 
gatherings  here  were  more  instructive  than  the  printed  tactics, 
because  the  officers  had  an  opportunity  to  compare  notes,  and  the 
less  efficient  ones  gained  points  from  the  more  efficient. 

As  a  "school  of  the  officers,' '  the  quarters  of  Charley  Fellows, 
as  he  was  familarly  known,  was  a  useful  institution  for  the  dis 
cussion  often  entered  into  by  the  officers  had  a  most  beneficial 


AT  THE  FRONT.  191 

effect  on  the  less  efficient  among  them.  When  they  grew  tired  of 
discussing  tactics,  some  of  them  would  tell  stories  or  guy  one  another 
or  criticise  any  defect  of  toilet.  It  was  no  place  to  be  ungentle- 
manly,  to  tell  foolish  anecdotes  or  other  pointless  stories,  and  yet 
it  was  one  of  the  most  hospitable  places  to  be  found  in  the  army. 
Many  an  entertaining  story  was  told  there.  Wit  and  sometimes 
sarcasm  reigned.  Some  of  the  stories  told  were  about  strong  men, 
boxers,  runners  or  jumpers,  many  of  the  feats  related  being  almost 
incredible.  It  remained  for  Captain  McNamara,  however,  to 
cap  the  climax. 

The  story  he  told  once  on  a  time  was  so  unreasonable,  so 
evidently  false,  that  all  present  told  that  he  was  making  it  out  of 
whole  cloth.  They  guyed  him,  said  he  was  crazy,  and  that  none 
but  a  fool  would  tell  such  a  story.  In  their  criticism  of  the  captain, 
they  became  so  loud  and  boisterous  that  the  attention  of  the  officer 
of  the  day,  Captain  Splaine,  was  attracted  to  the  tumult.  He  said, 
"Come,  gentlemen,  there  is  too  much  noise  here.  Kindly  speak 
low.  You  know  it's  against  camp  regulations  to  make  so  much 
noise  at  this  hour/ ' 

Captain  Tompkins,  familiarly  known  as  "Old  Tomp,"  said 

"H ,  Splaine,  how  can  we  help  it?  If  you  had  heard  it,  you 

would  be  more  severe  on  Mac  than  any  one  of  us.  Why,  Splaine, 
the  damned  lie  he  told  would  make  a  mule  laugh.' ' 

At  this,  Captain  McNamara  very  excitedly  said,  "I  will 
leave  it  to  Splaine  if  I  am  not  telling  the  truth,  and  I'll  bet  he  has 
seen  the  same  thing  himself.' ' 

Splaine  said  he  had  not  heard  the  story,  and  therefore  couldn't 
give  an  opinion  upon  a  thing  he  didn't  know  anything  about. 
Thereupon  Mac  told  the  following  story : 

"When  I  lived  in  the  old  country,  there  resided  near  me  a 
great  jumper.  He  had  out  jumped  every  competitor,  had  outrun 
every  runner  he  contested,  and  no  one  knew  how  far  he  could 
jump.  Finally,  the  people  became  so  interested  in  the  man's 
power  as  a  jumper,  they  determined  to  put  him  to  the  severest 
test,  and  for  this  purpose  made  up  a  long  purse  for  him,  if  he  would 
give  a  public  exhibition  of  his  great  jumping  capacity.  Side  bets 
were  made,  the  man  himself  taking  many  of  them.  He  wagered 


192  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

that  he  could  jump  across  a  river  which,  at  the  point  named,  was 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  wide.  I  saw  him  jump  that  river/7  said 
Captain  Mac.  And  again  the  officers  howled  at  him. 

"I  don't  care/'  said  Mac,  "it's  true,  and  I  know  that  Splaine 
will  say  it  is  true." 

It  was  well  known  that  Captain  Splaine  was  the  chosen  and 
tried  friend  of  Captain  Mac  on  all  occasions,  and  now  Mac  thought 
and  hoped  he  would  give  a  decision  favorable  to  him  and  save  him 
from  the  ridicule  of  his  fellow  officers.  Captain  Tompkins  here; 
broke  in  saying  that,  while  he  was  willing  to  leave  it  to  Splaine 
he  would  first  ask  Mac  a  few  questions. 

"All  right/'  said  Mac.  "How  wide  was  the  river?"  "A 
quarter  of  a  mile.' '  "Have  you  got  the  cheek  to  ask  us  to  believe 
that  a  man  jumped  across  a  river  a  quarter  of  a  mile  wide?' ' 

Mac's  answer  was:  "Why  couldn't  he  and  why  shouldn't  he? 
Sure,  he  had  a  mile  of  a  run  to  it.  It's  the  last  feather  that  breaks 
the  camel's  back." 

And  now  the  laughter  and  uproar  was  almost  beyond  control. 
When  the  noise  of  the  outburst  had  subsided,  Captain  Splaine  was 
called  upon  to  render  his  decision.  Mac  looked  at  him  imploringly 
for  a  judgment  favorable  to  him.  The  crowd  cried,  "Fair  play, 
Splaine;  we  want  your  decision!"  Poor  Splaine  was  in  a  trying 
position.  He  felt  greatly  embarrassed,  but  couldn't  endorse  so 
palpable  a  lie.  At  the  same  time  he  didn't  wish  to  hurt  the  feelings 
of  his  friend. 

While  pausing,  embarrassed  at  his  peculiar  position  something 
happened  which  enabled  him  to  attempt  a  compromise,  and  to 
avoid  the  painful  task  of  deciding  that  Captain  Mac  had  been 
lying.  This  "  something' '  was  a  noise  from  without,  which  sounded 
like:  "Hee-a  hawT-a,  haw-a,  hee-a,  hawa-a." 

That  noise  was  loud  enough  to  be  heard  all  over  the  camp, 
and  Captain  Mac  and  his  associates  heard  it  very  plainly.  Here 
was  Splaine's  opportunity  to  avoid  giving  a  positive  opinion;  but 
when  he  did  speak,  he  made  things  much  worse  for  Mac.  Looking 
at  the  latter,  he  said,  "So  help  me  jiminy  Johnson,  Captain  Mac, 
even  the  headquarters  mule  is  laughing  at  you.' ' 


AT  THE  FRONT.  193 

McNamara  was  wild.  The  officers  were  beside  themselves 
with  glee  at  the  strange  turn  things  had  taken,  and  stamped 
Mac  as  the  biggest  Munchausen  in  camp. 

The  noise  made  on  this  occasion,  however,  was  too  much  for 
the  forbearance  generally  shown  by  Colonel  Fellows,  who  came 
along,  asked  what  the  uproar  was  about,  and  suggested  that  it 
was  about  time  for  the  officers  to  retire  for  the  night.  Then  looking 
into  his  son's  quarters,  he  said,  "  Lieutenant  Fellows,  report  at 
headquarters  at  once.' ' 

The  majority  of  the  officers,  seeing  the  lieutenant  go  to  head 
quarters,  and  fearing  that  the  colonel  was  about  to  scold  him, 
loitered  around  in  the  darkness  to  learn  something  about  it. 
Their  fears  were  soon  dispelled,  for  the  laughing  at  headquarters 
became  so  boisterous  that  the  officer  of  the  day  began  to  think  it 
was  about  time  to  enforce  regulations  there  also. 

It  appears  that  when  Charley  reached  headquarters,  the 
colonel  sternly  asked  him  what  all  that  noise  in  his  quarters  meant. 
Charley  related  the  incidents  connected  with  Mac's  story,  and  the 
part  the  colonel's  mule  had  played  in  it,  on  hearing  which  Colonel 
Fellows  and  his  staff  could  not  contain  themselves,  and  gave  full 
vent  to  their  merriment,  and  laughed  most  heartily  about  Mac 
and  the  Mule. 

Next  morning,  Captain  Splaine,  as  old  officer  of  the  day, 
called  at  the  colonel's  headquarters  to  make  his  report  about  his 
duties  of  the  night  before,  and  turn  over  his  instructions  to  the 
new  officer  of  the  day.  Colonel  Fellows  inquired  of  the  captain 
about  the  fun  of  the  night  before.  '  The  captain  told  the  whole 
story  as  related,  and  there  was  fresh  laughter  and  more  merriment. 
The  whole  party  went  out  to  see  the  mule,  and  being  joined  by 
other  line  officers,  proceeded  to  inspect  it. 

Captain  Splaine  paid  particular  attention  to  the  animal, 
fondling  and  patting  him,  but  taking  good  care  to  keep  away  from 
his  heels,  as  he  was  known  to  be  a  great  kicker.  "Fine  mule,"  said 
the  captain,  "fine  mule,  bless  him,  for  he  has  a  devil  of  a  fine  laugh 
in  him." 

Captain  McNamara  never  heard  the  last  of  the  mule  story, 
and  if  at  any  time  he  inclined  to  swerve  from  the  truth  in  his 


194  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

relations,  some  one  would  remind  him  to  be  careful  lest  the  mule 
might  hear  him. 

ESCORTING  THE  COLORS. 

During  the  late  summer  and  fall  of  1863,  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  was  stationed  in  Newbern,  N.  C.,  doing  provost 
duty  in  that  city.  A  dress  parade  of  the  whole  regiment  each 
evening  finished  the  duties  of  the  command  for  the  day.  And  such 
parades !  About  800  men  attired  in  their  best,  their  brasses  bright, 
their  belts  and  boxes  polished,  their  shoes  shined,  their  gloves 
snow  white,  their  muskets  shining  like  silver,  were  in  line  on 
those  occasions. 

At  the  time  in  question,  Colonel  Amory  was  in  personal 
command  of  the  regiment,  and  did  his  best  to  make  the  parades 
as  spectacular  and, attractive  as  possible.  These  parades  wTere  usu 
ally  witnessed  by  generals  and  other  officers  who  were  not  actively 
employed  at  the  time.  Leading  citizens  and  prominent  persons 
from  the  northern  states  also  attended  to  witness  these  parades. 
To  the  civilians  they  were  most  attractive  and  made  them  wonder 
how  it  was  possible  that  a  body  of  men  could  do  so  many  things  in 
unison  and  so  gracefully  and  so  mechanically,  at  the  command 
of  a  single  officer. 

A  variation  in  the  performance  came  at  one  of  these  parades 
one  evening,  when  Adjutant  Cheever,  after  it  was  over,  approached 
one  of  the  captains  and  said  "  Captain  S.,  Colonel  Amory  orders  you 
and  your  company  to  escort  the  colors  to  headquarters.' ' 

" Escort  the  colors  to  headquarters!"  exclaimed  the  captain, 
who  knew  that  this  ceremony  had  never  been  carried  out  in  that 
department  before,  and  perhaps  had  never  been  attempted  in 
the  volunteer  army.  "Yes,  sir,"  said  the  adjutant,  who  saluted 
and  walked  away. 

Why  was  this  unusual  order  given?  The  answer  is  that, 
shortly  before,  a  few  officers  had  remarked  that  Captain  S.,  was 
so  well  posted  that  he  could  not  make  a  tactical  mistake  on 
battalion  drill,  and  that  he  could  not  be  feased  on  any  matter 
relating  to  tactics. 


AT  THE  FRONT.  195 

On  the  evening  before  giving  the  unusual  order  in  question, 
the  same  statement  was  made  at  the  supper  of  the  field  and  staff 
at  Colonel  Amory's  headquarters,  upon  leaving  which  the  colonel 
said:  "I  will  puzzle  him  before  tomorrow  night."  When  asked 
how  he  could  do  it,  he  declined  to  explain.  Hence  the  order  on 
the  following  day  to  escort  the  colors  to  headquarters. 

When  the  captain  received  the  strange  order,  though  he  had 
made  no  special  study  of  that  most  interesting  movement,  he 
prepared  to  carry  it  out  as  if  it  were  only  a  common  company  drill. 
He  made  proper  disposition  of  his  company,  received  the  colors 
and  guard  in  due  form,  and  started  his  column,  having  to  make 
various  wheels  and  movements  in  the  course  of  his  march,  so  that 
he  could  arrive  at  headquarters  "  right  in  front."  The  towering 
Colonel  Amory,  with  mischief  in  his  eyes,  watched  the  company's 
progress  and  with  quick  long  strides  he  reached  headquarters 
before  the  company  did,  and  took  position  on  the  front  steps  lead 
ing  up  to  the  door  of  the  headquarters  building. 

The  company  soon  after  arrived,  halted  and  wheeled  left  into 
line,  presented  arms,  etc.,  when  Lieutenant  P.  C.  Mason  placed 
the  colors  in  the  outstretched  hand  of  Colonel  Amory. 

The  colonel  then  said:  " Captain,  I  have  seen  the  escorting 
of  the  colors  done  only  twice  in  my  life — once  in  the  regular  army — 
and  on  that  occasion  the  movement  was  not  properly  executed.  I 
have  seen  it  today  for  the  second  time,  and  the  movement  has  been 
properly  carried  out." 

He  then  congratulated  the  captain,  the  lieutenant  and  the 
men  on  their  success  and  soldierly  bearing,  and  said:  Captain, 
let  Lieutenant  Mason  march  the  company  to  quarters,  and  you, 
sir,  will  dine  at  headquarters  tonight." 

The  modest  captain  reluctantly  accepted  the  invitation.  He 
found  a  good  dinner,  and  spent  a  most  enjoyable  evening  at  head 
quarters.  Colonel  Amory  admitted  the  joke  of  trying  to  puzzle 
the  captain,  and  again  congratulated  him  and  his  company  on 
their  clever  performance  of  a  difficult  undertaking. 

Hurrah  for  the  volunteers ! 


CHAPTER  VII. 


IN  THE  CITY  ON  PROVOST  GUARD — BATCHELDER'S  CREEK  BY 
COLONEL  SPLAINE — A  Civic  HERO  IN  THE  MUDDY  TRENCHES 
— SIEGE  OF  WASHINGTON,  N.  C.,  WITH  SIGNAL  GUNS — 
SECOND  DIRECT  ATTACK  ON  NEWBERN — COLONEL  AMORY 
AND  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  THE  REGIMENT — A  MOONLIGHT  DRILL 
CAPTURE  AND  FATE  OF  A  CONFEDERATE  SPY — MUSTER  OUT 
OF  THE  OLD  SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  AND  BIRTH  OF  THE 
NEW  ORGANIZATION. 

The  regiment,  having  been  back  in  Newbern  since  October  1, 
1863,  and  again  comfortably  housed,  while  doing  provost  guard 
duty,  Colonel  Amory  in  command  of  the  regiment,  everything 
went  merry  as  a  marriage  bell  until  February  1,  1864,  when  the 
most  serious  disaster  which  had  befallen  the  regiment  came. 

The  men  had  been  doing  their  prettiest  and  behaving  their 
best,  and  had  gone  through  enjoying  their  third  Christmas  in  the 
army,  little  dreaming  what  the  morrow  might  bring  forth.  In  a 
little  more  than  a  month  they  found  out. 


THE  BATCHELDER'S  CREEK  AFFAIR  AND  THREATENED 
ATTACK  ON  NEWBERN, 


BY  COLONEL  HENRY  SPLAINE. 

About  one  o'clock  of  the  morning  of  February  1,  1864,  a  dis 
tant  rumbling,  like  thunder,  was  heard  by  the  guards  and  others  in 
and  about  Newbern.     Many  good  sleepers,  soldiers  among  them, 
[196] 


AT  THE  FRONT.  197 

knew  nothing  about  the  cause  of  that  noise  until  the  following 
morning. 

The  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry  was  then  doing 
provost  guard  in  the  city  and  its  immediate  suburbs,  the  right  wing 
being  quartered  in  houses  in  the  city  proper  and  the  left  wing  in 
tents  a  short  distance  in  the  rear  of  Fort  Totten. 

At  the  hour  above  named,  Colonel  Fellows  received  an  order 
from  General  Palmer,  commanding  the  forces  and  defences  of  New- 
bern  to  send  such  officers  and  men  of  the  left  wing  of  his  regiment 
stationed  at  Fort  Totten  as  were  not  actually  on  guard  duty,  to  Bat- 
chelder's  Creek,  to  re-enforce  Colonel  Classon,  and  to  send  a  com 
petent  officer  to  command  the  detachment.  Colonel  Fellows,  in 
obedience  to  General  Palmer's  orders,  directed  a  certain  officer,  who 
had  been  promoted  only  a  few  days  before  and  whose  new  grade 
just  fitted  him  for  the  task  in  hand, — as  there  were  only  110  en 
listed  men  hurriedly  called  together  for  the  emergency — to  take 
command  of.  The  newly  promoted  officer  hesitated  and  said  that  he 
did  not  have  a  horse  to  ride,  whereupon  Colonel  Fellows  directed 
his  quartermaster  to  prepare  a  certain  horse  for  the  officer  at  once; 
bub  to  this  offer  the  officer  demurred,  saying  that  he  did  not  know 
anything  about  the  horse,  and  therefore  was  afraid  to  ride  him. 
Colonel  Fellows,  who  was  now  so  disgusted  at  the  manner  in  which 
the  officer  was  trying  to  evade  the  responsibility  of  taking  the  de 
tachment  to  the  point  of  danger,  said  to  his  adjutant  (Cheever): 
"Go  at  once,  with  my  compliments,  to  General  Palmer,  and  say 
that  I  have  already  taken  command  of  the  detachment  myself,  and 
have  started  on  the  march.  After  that,  you,  adjutant,  join  me 
as  soon  as  you  can." 

Colonel  Fellows,  the  brave  and  dashing  officer,  in  his  anxiety 
to  obey  the  order  of  the  general,  sprang  into  the  saddle,  without 
even  waiting  for  his  sword,  which  was  being  passed  to  him  by  one 
of  the  attendents,  saying,  "I  haven't  time — I  have  my  belt  and 
pistol,  but  can't  wait  for  the  sword!' ' 

He  would  not  wait  for  anything,  so  anxious  was  he  to  reach 
the  point  of  danger  as  quickly  as  possible,  to  assist  his  comrades  in 
defending  Colonel  Classon's  position,  the  holding  of  which  was  so 
important  to  the  safety  of  the  city  itself.  The  march  was  a  hurried 


198  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

one,  the  little  band  under  Colonel  Fellows  reaching  the  point  of 
conflict  long  before  daybreak. 

The  rumbling  which  had  been  heard  about  one  o'clock  contin 
ued,  until  it  dawned  upon  all  in  the  city  that  the  noise  was  the 
thundering  of  Confederate  artillery.  And  now  could  be  heard  the 
clattering  of  horse's  feet  everywhere  on  the  streets,  the  riders  of 
which,  whether  they  were  aids  or  orderlies,  were  bearing  the  news 
of  the  conflict  at  the  outpost — or  with  orders  to  commanding 
officers  to  hold  their  troops  in  readiness  for  any  contingency. 
During  the  early  morning,  rumors  of  the  disaster  to  our  forces  at 
the  outpost  were  freely  circulated,  but  no  one  wanted  to  believe 
them.  Later  on,  however,  these  rumors  were  confirmed,  when 
Colonel  Classon,  with  his  command  on  platform  cars,  steamed 
into  Newbern.  But  where  was  Colonel  Fellows  and  his  detach 
ment  of  the  Seventeenth?  There  was  no  news  from  them,  and 
all  were  wondering  what  had  become  of  them. 

It  appears  that  when  Colonel  Fellows  and  his  command  re 
ported  to  Classon  they  were  immediately  put  into  action,  and 
right  well  did  they  acquit  themselves;  but  at  a  critical  moment 
they  were  neglected,  deceived  and  deserted  by  Colonel  Classon, 
who  hurried  his  men  on  to  the  steam-cars,  and  retreated  to  New 
bern,  leaving  Colonel  Fellows  and  his  handful  of  men  to  their  fate. 
After  maintaining  the  conflict  against  thousands  of  the  enemy 
for  a  time,  finding  his  little  band  was  literally  surrounded  by  the 
Confederates  and  knowing  that  it  would  be  futile  to  attempt  to 
escape  as  an  organized  body,  Colonel  Fellows  ordered  his  men  to 
save  themselves.  The  best  military  men  in  Newbern  said  that 
the  colonel  had  acted  wisely.  A  heavy  fog  prevailed  that  morning, 
and  this,  together  with  the  smoke  of  the  conflict,  enabled  quite  a 
number  of  the  officers  and  men  to  escape  through  the  woods.  Lieu 
tenant  Cann,  with  his  platoon  almost  intact,  escaped  through  the 
bushes,  and  found  themselves  in  the  deserted  camp  of  Colonel 
Classon.  The  garrison  flag  was  flying,  but  was  saved  by  Lieuten 
ant  Cann  and  his  men,  who  also  destroyed  all  the  tents  and  military 
stores  there,  by  burning  them;  and  as  the  lieutenant  and  his  men 
were  going  out  from  one  side  of  the  camp,  the  Confederates  were 
coming  in  at  the  other  side. 


AT  THE  FRONT.  199 

Eight  officers,  including  Colonel  Fellows,  and  sixty-two  en 
listed  men,  were  captured  by  the  Confederates.  A  few  men  were 
killed  and  several  wounded.  Dr.  I.  F.  Galloupe,  who  was  well 
mounted,  might  have  escaped,  but  he  refused  to  leave  Adjutant 
Cheever,  who  was  wounded.  He  remained  with  him  and  rendered 
all  the  surgical  aid  he  could,  and  while  doing  so,  was  captured,  to 
gether  with  his  patient.  Of  the  sixty-two  enlisted  men  of  the  Seven 
teenth  who  were  captured  that  morning,  only  four  ever  returned  to 
freedom,  the  other  fifty-eight  having  died  in  Andersonville  prison 
of  starvation. 

When  the  extent  of  the  disaster  became  known  to  General 
Palmer,  it  was  hurry,  skurry — hustle,  bustle — aids  and  orderlies 
riding  like  mad  in  all  directions.  Telegraph  wires  were  hot  with 
messages  to  all  outlying  posts,  and  all  men,  no  matter  where  sta 
tioned,  were  ordered  to  concentrate  at  Newbern.  The  right  wing 
of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  housed  in  the  city  proper  and 
doing  provost  duty,  was  at  once  sent  to  the  line  of  works  flanking 
Fort  Totten  and  the  provost  duty  was  performed  by  the  clerks  and 
other  civil  employees  of  the  government. 

By  early  afternoon  every  available  man  was  in  position  in  the 
defences  of  the  city,  and  as  the  commands  from  the  outlying  dis 
tricts  reported  for  duty,  they  were  assigned  to  positions  in  the 
works,  or  kept  as  reserves  at  a  convenient  distance  behind  those 
already  in  the  works.  As  night  approached,  a  strong  line  of 
skirmishers  was  throwrn  out  in  front  of  the  works,  and  extended 
from  the  Xeuse  River  to  the  Trent  River.  The  writer  remembers 
well  that  his  company  was  placed  as  skirmishers  across  the  Neuse 
road,  and  extending  to  the  main  gate  of  Fort  Totten.  The  assis 
tant  adjutant-general  of  the  district  placed  these  guards,  and  the 
instructions  given  to  the  wrriter  were  that  there  was  no  organized 
body  of  Union  troops  outside  the  lines  then,  but  there  doubtless 
were  a  few  scattered  bands  or  individuals  after  the  fight  of  the 
morning.  " These  latter,"  he  said  "you. will  admit,  of  course; 
but  if  any  large  body  of  organized  troops  approaches,  you  may 
rest  assured  it  is  the  enemy,  and  it  will  be  your  duty  to  fire  upon  it.' ' 
My  men  were  in  line  when  these  orders  were  given  me;  but  after 
the  departure  of  the  assistant  adjutant-general,  I  said  to  my  men: 


200  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

"Take  your  orders  from  me,  and  upon  your  lives  do  not  fire  until 
I  order  you  to." 

The  night  wore  on,  and  just  at  one  o'clock  A.  M.,  of  February 
2d,  a  noise  in  front  of  the  pickets  stirred  every  one  up.  There  was 
a  clanging  of  sabres,  clattering  of  hoofs  and  the  low-toned  words 
of  command  by  officers  as  the  command  neared  the  skirmishers. 
Realizing  that  the  approaching  body  was  an  organized  command, 
and  perhaps  a  large  one,  I  called  to  my  men:  " Steady  there! 
I  will  do  the  challenging !' '  Whereupon  I  ran  forward  and  shouted : 
"Halt!  Who  goes  there?"  The  answer  came:  "Twelfth  New 
York  Cavalry."-  -"Who  commands  you?"  "Colonel  Savage. "- 
"Is  Colonel  Savage  present?"— "Yes."— "Then  tell  him  to  dis 
mount  and  advance  alone  to  be  recognized.' ' 

Colonel  Savage  met  me  in  the  middle  of  a  muddy  pool,  having 
a  length  and  width  of  about  300  feet,  a  depth  of  about  three  feet. 
Here  we  met,  shook  hands— as  I  recognized  him  and  gave  him 
permission  to  pass  with  his  command  inside  the  works,  and  added : 

"For  G sake,  colonel,  march  your  men  in  through  this  gate. 

It  will  be  dangerous  for  you  and  your  command  to  go  in  any  other 
direction,  for  the  guards  are  all  ordered  to  fire  at  any  organized 
body  of  men  coming  from  without."  Notwithstanding  the  re 
quest  and  words  of  caution  from  me,  Colonel  Savage  headed 
his  column  in  another  direction,  supposedly  to  avoid  the  mud 
puddle.  My  lieutenant,  Mason,  was  in  command  at  the  other 
gate,  and  had  he  not  been  thoroughly  instructed  by  me  as  to  how 
he  should  receive  organized  bodies  from  without,  firing  would 
have  been  the  result.  Lieutenant  Phil  C.  Mason  knew  what  his 
orders  meant  and  knew  how  to  obey  them. 

If  that  fine  regiment  of  cavalry  had  been  fired  upon  by  my 
pickets,  all  the  batteries  of  Fort  Totten  would  have  been  opened, 
and  the  firing  would  have  extended  along  the  infantry  line  for  half 
a  mile  on  either  flank  of  the  fort,  and  Colonel  Savage  and  his  com 
mand  would  have  been  wiped  off  the  face  of  the  earth.  What  was 
true  of  my  part  of  the  line  was  true  of  all  parts,  for  the  instructions 
were  substantially  the  same  to  all  commanders.  It  will  be  seen 
what  a  calamity  was  averted  by  the  intelligence  of  a  few  line 


AT  THE  FRONT.  201 

officers  who  knew  what  to  do  at  a  correct  time — who  knew  more 
than  some  of  their  superiors  about  the  art  of  war. 

Feeling  ran  high  in  Newbern  among  the  troops, — especially 
so  when  they  discovered  that  the  enemy  was  in  force  and  com 
manded  by  the  doughty  warrior,  General  Pickett,  who  had  led 
the  memorable  rebel  charge  at  Gettysburg.  Some  even  thought 
that  the  city  would  fall,  but  all  were  determined  to  make  a  stub 
born  fight. 

The  most  sensational  thing  of  all  happened  on  the  third  night 
of  the  Confederate  investment,  when  our  war  steamer  "Under 
writer'  '  was  blown  up  by  Captain  Howard  and  his  men  of  the  Con 
federate  navy,  who  came  down  the  Neuse  River  in  boats,  with 
muffled  oars,  and  boarded  the  ship  at  one  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
and  after  robbing  her  of  everything  they  wanted,  blew  the  ship  and 
some  of  her  crew  to  fragments.  The  spectacle  was  awful  and  awe- 
inspiring.  At  this  terrible  sight,  and  the  thunderous  noise  ac 
companying  it,  all  sprang  to  arms,  not  knowing  what  would 
happen  next. 

Later  in  the  night,  the  Confederate  bands  struck  up  some  lively 
military  airs,  which  called  forth  a  musical  response  from  the  band 
stationed  in  Fort  Totten.  Tired,  weary  and  sleeping  in  the  muddy 
trench,  I  was  awakened  by  Lieutenant  Phil  Mason,  who  called 
my  attention  to  the  music.  I  listened  for  a  moment,  and  then  said, 
"The  enemy  is  retreating.  Their  music  is  only  throwing  dust  in 
our  eyes  to  cover  their  retrogade  movements."  When  broad 
daylight  came,  it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy  had  departed. 


A  CIVIC  HERO  IN  THE  MUDDY  TRENCHES  OF 
NEWBERN. 

Following  the  disaster  at  Batchelder's  Creek  on  February  1, 
1864,  and  the  investment  of  Newbern  by  General  Pickett's  Con 
federate  forces,  the  feeling  was  intense  among  soldiers  and  civilians, 
many  believing  that  the  city  was  doomed  to  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy;  but  the  best  efforts  of  both  commanders  and  sub- 


202  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

ordinates  were  put  forth  to  make  the  best  possible  resistance. 
As  a  consequence,  every  man  who  was  well  enough  to  stand  up  was 
brought  to  the  defence  of  the  city. 

These  efforts  were  not  confined  to  the  officers  and  enlisted 
men  of  the  army.  The  patriotic  citizens  doing  business  there  and 
the  civilian  employees  of  the  government  also  became  imbued  with 
the  spirit  of  resistance,  and  determined  to  assist  the  troops  in 
every  possible  way  in  their  power.  Notable  among  the  young 
men  among  the  government  employees  was  one  who  had  made 
every  effort,  but  without  success,  to  become  an  officer  or  a  soldier 
in  the  Union  army,  and  his  failure  to  be  one  or  the  other  was 
through  no  fault  of  his.  He  had  graduated  from  Harvard  College 
shortly  after  the  war  broke  out,  and  at  once  tried  to  enlist  as  a 
private  soldier,  but  was  rejected  on  the  ground  that  he  was  not 
strong  physically.  Failing  in  this,  he  made  another  attempt 
and  through  the  good  offices  of  influential  friends,  was  promised  a 
position  on  the  staff  of  a  general  officer,  but  after  waiting  a  con 
siderable  time,  and  receiving  no  encouragment  that  the  promised 
position  would  be  given  him,  he  made  up  his  mind  to  go  to  the 
front  on  the  civil  list  among  government  employees.  He  did  so, 
and  found  himself  doing  the  duty  of  chief  clerk  in  the  commissary 
department  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

On  the  occasion  of  the  investment  of  that  city  by  General 
Pickett,  this  young  man  organized  a  company  of  civil  employees, 
had  them  uniformed,  armed  and  otherwise  equipped  for  field 
service,  and  marched  them  up  to  and  into  the  trenches  near  Fort 
Totten.  By  this  patriotic  action,  both  he  and  his  associates 
took  their  lives  in  their  hands,  so  to  speak,  for  had  the  city  fallen 
and  the  enemy  discovered  they  were  not  regularly  enlisted  men 
they  were  liable  to  be  shot.  No  one  knew  better  than  the  young 
civilian  captain  the  risk  they  were  running,  but  they  cast  their 
lot  with  the  Union  troops,  come  weal  or  woe,  and  took  the  respon 
sibility. 

They  occupied  a  position  on  the  right  of  Captain  Splaine's 
company  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers.  The 
veterans  could  not  help  admiring  the  gallant  bearing  of  this  young 
civilian  captain  and  his  men.  They  were  all  young,  intelligent 


AT  THE  FRONT.  203 

boys,  and  presented  a  neat,  soldierly  appearance,  and  the  captain 
elicited  favorable  comment  from  the  army  officers  for  the  way  in 
which  he  handled  his  company.  Many  of  the  soldiers  remarked: 
what  fools  these  fellows  were  to  leave  their  comfortable  quarters 
down  town  to  come  out  and  sleep  in  the  muddy  trenches ;  but  they 
came  and  roughed  it  with  the  enlisted  men  for  three  days  and 
nights,  and  held  themselves  ready  to  fight  to  a  finish. 

On  the  night  of  the  third  day,  they,  as  well  as  the  soldiers 
witnessed  a  spectacle  which  they  must  have  long  remembered. 
It  was  the  blowing  up  of  the  Union  gunboat  "  Underwriter." 
This  was  accomplished  by  Captain  Howard  and  men  of  the  Con 
federate  navy,  who  came  down  the  Neuse  River  in  boats,  boarded 
the  gun  boat  quietly,  captured  the  guards  without  firing  a  shot, 
took  from  the  ship  what  they  wanted  and  blew  up  the  vessel, 
sending  her  crew  into  eternity.  The  scene  was  awe-inspiring  and 
still  lingers  in  the  memories  of  the  survivors  of  the  siege  of  Newbern. 

After  Pickett's  forces  had  retired  from  in  front  of  Newbern, 
the  civilians  returned  to  their  quarters  and  regular  employment, 
after  receiving  the  thanks  of  General  Palmer  and  many  other 
officers  who  had  witnessed  the  heroism  shown  by  the  young 
captain  and  his  men  in  the  hour  of  peril.  Captain  Splaine  and 
others  remarked  at  the  time  that  it  was  a  pity  that  the  young  man 
commanding  that  company  wasn't  a  commissioned  officer  in  the 
army.  If  he  were,  the  army  would  have  had  a  brave  and  dashing 
officer,  who  would  have  reflected  honor  and  credit  on  his  country, 
his  State,  and  himself.  This  young  man,  it  may  be  stated,  was 
Frederick  T.  Greenhalge,  afterwards  the  efficient  and  popular 
governor  of  Massachusetts,  whose  untimely  death  prevented  him 
from  succeeding  himself  in  that  high  office. 


DAVID  WALLACE. 


THREE  CONFEDERATE  SOLDIERS  SURRENDER  TO  HIM. 

On  the  morning  of  February  1,  1864,  after  the  disaster  to  a 
detachment  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Regiment  at  Batch- 


204  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

elder's  Creek,  David  Wallace,  like  many  others  of  the  command, 
sought  refuge  in  the  forest,  hoping  sooner  or  later  to  reach  the 
Union  lines.  During  that  day  and  the  following  night,  he  struggled 
in  vain  to  find  succor,  and  although  he  frequently  heard  human 
voices  and  the  rumbling  sound  of  artillery  wheels,  he  did  not  dare 
to  venture  out,  fearing  that  he  would  march  into  the  arms  of  the 
enemy. 

On  the  morning  of  February  2d,  he  was  so  tired,  cold  and 
hungry  that  he  made  up  his  mind  to  seek  shelter  and  food  at  any 
cost.  Soon  he  saw  smoke  uthat  so  gracefully  curled"  through 
the  evergreens,  and  being  very  cold,  determined  to  approach  the 
fire.  He  found  a  camp  fire,  and  near  it  a  booth  made  of  boughs, 
and  within  the  booth  the  trappings  of  soldiers.  He  took  a  seat 
on  a  log  near  the  fire  and  awaited  developments.  In  a  short  time 
three  Confederate  soldiers,  evidently  the  proprietors  of  the  booth, 
appeared. 

David  did  not  stir,  believing  that  the  jig  was  up,  but  to  his 
surprise  the  enemy  seemed  more  embarassed  than  himself.  They, 
believing  that  David  represented  a  considerable  Union  force, 
became  alarmed,  advanced  and  surrendered  to  David.  Soon 
realizing  the  advantage  thrust  upon  him,  David  put  on  some 
frills,  accepted  the  surrender,  and  marched  the  three  to  Newbern, 
as  prisoners  of  war. 

General  Palmer  warmly  thanked  David  for  his  discreet  and 
gallant  conduct. 

SIGNAL  GUNS. 


SIEGE  OF  WASHINGTON,  N.  C.,  AND  EVACUATION  OF  THE  TOWN. 

On  April  14,  1864,  six  companies  of  the  Seventeenth  Regi 
ment,  then  stationed  in  Newbern,  were  ordered  to  board  trans 
ports  for  Little  Washington,  to  re-enforce  the  troops  there  under 
command  of  General  Harland.  The  singular  thing  about  this 
movement  was  the  fact  that  although  the  major  part  of  the 
regiment,  carrying  the  regimental  colors  with  them,  the  command 
ing  officer  at  that  time  saw  fit  to  remain  at  his  comfortable  quarters 


AT  THE  FRONT.  205 

in  Newbern,  and  sent  Captain  J.  R.  Symonds  of  Company  K, 
in  command.  The  regiment  was  unused  to  such  tactics.  Colonel 
Amory  was  acting  brigadier-general,  and  Colonel  Fellows  was  a 
prisoner  of  war  at  the  time.  It  seemed  that  the  man  who  had 
succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  regiment  thought  more  of  his 
personal  safety  than  about  its  welfare  or  reputation.  The  officers 
and  men  of  the  six  companies  were  not  displeased  at  this  change 
of  commanders.  They  didn't  love  or  respect  the  one  who  re 
mained  in  Newbern,  but  they  did  know  Captain  Symonds,  and 
trusted  him.  They  knew  he  was  brave  and  patriotic,  painstaking 
and  honest,  and  never  failed  to  look  after  the  comfort  of  his  men. 

The  regiment,  with  other  commands,  reached  Washington 
late  that  night,  but  did  not  land  until  next  morning.  On  landing 
they  were  assigned  to  positions  along  the  line  of  defensive  works, 
the  companies,  with  the  exception  of  those  of  Captain  Splaine  and 
Smith,  being  separated,  these  companies  being  stationed  on  the 
extreme  right,  occupying  Fort  Mclver.  Captain  Symonds  made 
headquarters  near  the  latter  companies,  and  kept  himself  in 
constant  touch  with  the  other  four. 

The  officers  and  men  now  settled  down  to  duty,  observed  their 
surroundings,  and  prepared  to  do  their  part  in  the  defence  of  the. 
town,  the  chief  duty  being  to  watch  and  be  ready  at  all  times 
Not  more  than  half  the  men  were  allowed  to  sleep  at  one  time,  the 
other  half  remained  awake  and  under  arms,  ready  for  any  emer 
gency.  They  were  confronted  by  a  superior  force  under  General 
Hoke,  who  was  known  to  be  an  able  and  aggressive  commander, 
and  that  he  and  his  army  were  then  flushed  with  their  recent  capture 
of  Plymouth,  N.  C.,  with  many  prisoners  and  a  large  quantity  of 
supplies.  Hoke's  army  had  Washington  completely  invested, 
and  it  seemed  only  a  question  of  time  as  to  when  the  assault  would 
begin 

Things  went  on  in  this  way  for  several  days,  when  General 
Harland  made  up  his  mind  that  he  would  find  out  whether  Hoke 
was  in  force  or  not  and  for  this  purpose  detailed  about  forty 
skirmishers  from  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  to  make  a 
reconnoisance  along  the  enemy's  center. 


206  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

The  skirmishers  were  placed  in  command  of  Capt.  George  W. 
Graham,  a  cavalry  officer,  who  knew  nothing  about  infantry 
skirmishing,  though  Captains  Splaine  and  Smith  and  Lieutenant 
Fellows  offered  their  services  to  command  them.  General 
Harland  thanked  these  officers,  but  remarked  that  he  would 
not  make  any  change  then.  The  men,  knowing  their  business, 
deployed  mostly  on  their  own  hook,  and  went  forward  against  the 
enemy.  When  they  reached  a  growth  of  timber  they  found  Hoke's 
skirmishers,  and  an  active  fusillade  ensued.  Hoke's  men  had 
witnessed  the  approach  of  our  men  across  an  open  area  of  about 
a  third  of  a  mile,  and  had  ample  time  to  meet  them. 

One  of  the  incidents  worth  noting,  which  was  plainly  visible 
to  officers  and  men  in  the  works,  was  the  encounter  between 
Crofts  of  Company  C,  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  and  a  rebel 
skirmisher.  Each,  as  he  saw  the  other,  jumped  behind  a  stump. 
Both  dodged  and  ducked  for  a  while,  but  finding  that  such  strategy 
didn't  count,  both  levelled  their  rifles  across  the  stumps  and 
fired.  The  rebel  was  the  better  marksman,  and  poor  Crofts 
rolled  over  a  corpse,  with  a  bullet  in  his  brain.  They  fired  simul 
taneously.  Keefe,  of  Company  H,  Seventeenth,  was  also  killed, 
and  a  few  others  slightly  wounded.  Graham  did  not  await  the 
"  recall"  on  the  bugle,  but  ordered  the  men  to  fall  back,  and  on 
reaching  the  works,  assured  General  Harland  that  Hoke's  army  was 
outside  in  full  force,  and  evidently  intent  on  mischief.  The 
bodies  of  Crofts  and  Keefe  were  recovered  and  buried  in  the  yard 
of  a  house  in  the  town  which  can  be  located  even  at  this  late  day 
by  Captains  Splaine,  Smith,  Fellows,  or  Sillars. 

For  several  days  after  the  skirmish,  the  orders  were  to  watch 
and  wait,  with  equipments  on  and  arms  at  hand,  ready  for  any 
emergency.  A  feeling  of  gloom  pervaded  the  ranks  of  the  defend 
ers,  for  it  became  more  and  more  evident  from  day  to  day,  that 
the  town  was  doomed.  The  only  means  of  retreat  was  by  water, 
and  the  question  with  the  commanding  officers  was,  had  Hoke 
the  force  at  command  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  besieged 
Union  force  on  transports?  The  crisis  came  nearer  and  nearer, 
for  Hoke's  lines  were  being  drawn  closer,  and  it  seemed  a 
question  of  only  a  few  hours  when  the  assault  would  be  made. 


AT  THE  FRONT.  207 

Finally,  on  April  22,  General  Harland  called  the  commanders  of 
regiments,  batteries,  etc.,  together,  and  told  them  to  quietly  make 
preparations  to  evacuate  the  town,  but  not  to  advertise  it  among 
the  troops  or  inhabitants.  On  that  evening,  Captain  Splaine 
commanding  at  Fort  Mclver,  received  orders  to  fire,  at  10  p.  M., 
that  night,  three  guns — a  single  gun  first,  and  then,  after  a  lapse 
of  two  minutes,  two  guns  in  quick  succession.  Then  he  was  to 
disable  the  guns.  When  the  captain  read  his  orders,  he  knew 
what  they  meant.  It  was  a  signal  to  General  Foster,  at  Newbern, 
seventy  miles  distant,  that  General  Harland  had  decided  to  evacu 
ate  Little  Washington.  The  three  shots  fired  by  Captain  Splaine 
were  not  blank  cartridges,  but  shell  from  two  big  64-pounders. 
They  were  fired  into  General  Hoke's  camp,  where  they  exploded, 
causing  considerable  trouble  and  excitement,  the  rebel  general, 
supposing  that  the  Yanks  were  about  to  assume  the  offensive. 
The  noise  waked  up  the  garrison  and  caused  them  to  spring  to 
arms,  thinking  that  some  unexpected  move  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy  had  been  discovered. 

After  the  firing,  Splaine,  pursuant  to  orders,  spiked  the  guns, 
and  threw  them  with  their  carriages,  down  from  the  parapet  into 
the  ditch,  a  distance  of  thirty  feet.  They  were  so  spiked  and 
thoroughly  put  out  of  commission  that  "no  sound  could  awake 
them  to  glory  again.' ' 

Colonel  Splaine  says  that  the  destruction  of  those  fine  guns, 
after  their  discharge,  was  among  the  most  painful  duties  he  ever 
had  to  perform. 

The  evacuation  began  next  morning,  and  as  the  Union  troops 
were  in  motion  towards  the  transports,  the  Confederate  cavalry 
and  infantry  were  at  the  heads  of  the  streets  and  inside  our  line 
of  works.  There  was  no  firing,  the  Union  troops  being  willing 
to  get  out  of  the  town  and  the  Confederates  desirous  that  they 
should.  All  the  members  held  to  arms  on  the  transports,  and  a 
few  small  gunboats  were  in  readiness  to  protect  and  cover  embarka 
tion.  Finally,  the  transports  steamed  down  the  river,  with  the 
gunboats  in  the  rear.  Very  few  army  stores  or  supplies  fell  into 
the  enemy's  hands,  and  it  may  be  added,  Little  Washington  itself 
did  not  long  remain  in  the  possession  of  the  captors.  It  was  again 


208  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

occupied  soon  after  by  the  Union  troops,  Hoke  finding  it  im 
practicable  to  hold  the  place. 


MAY  5,  1864. 

SECOND  DIRECT  ATTACK  ON  NEWBERN  BY 
CONFEDERATES. 


COLONEL  AMORY  DEVELOPING  THE  ENEMY'S  POSITION. 

On  May  5,  1864,  General  Hoke,  commanding  a  considerable 
Confederate-army,  made  an  unexpected  attack  on  our  small  force 
at  Evans  Mills,  sweeping  everything  before  him,  and  pushed  on 
towards  Newbern,  with  the  evident  intention  of  capturing  the 
city  and  its  defenders.  At  the  same  time,  a  detachment  of  his 
command  moved  against  Brice's  Ferry,  for  the  purpose  of  prevent 
ing  any  attempt  by  the  Union  forces  to  interfere  with  his  lines 
of  communication  and  supply,  and  also  to  keep  open  his  only 
road  of  retreat  in  case  he  failed  in  capturing  the  city. 

Still  another  detachment  of  Hoke's  army  made  a  demonstration 
against  Batchelder's  Creek,  which  was  about  ten  miles  out  on  the 
Neuse  Road,  for  the  purpose  of  confusing  the  Union  general  as  to 
his  real  intentions.  It  did  not  take  long  to  divine  the  meaning  of 
these  movements,  and  accordingly  prompt  and  intelligent  dis 
position  of  the  various  commands  in  and  around  Newbern  was 
made,  to  meet  the  attack  of  General  Hoke. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  Trent  River,  in  addition  to  the 
Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  a  detachment  of  which 
held  Brice's  Ferry,  there  was  Fort  Gaston,  commanding  the 
county  bridge  and  the  open  plain  eastward  from  the  Trent  River; 
and  there  was  Fort  Spinola  on  the  banks  of  the  Neuse  River 
commanding  the  river,  the  long  bridge  and  also  a  portion  of  the 
plain  already  referred  to. 

These  two  forts  were  well  manned  and  well  supplied  with 
artillery  and  ammunition,  and  no  doubt  would  have  made  them- 


AT  THE  FRONT.  209 

selves  felt  in  case  E[oke's  command  had  come  to  close  quarters. 
Between  these  forts  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry 
held  a  line  of  earthworks,  which,  although  not  the  strongest, 
yet  would  have  sheltered  the  men  fairly  well  if  the  enemy  had  seen 
fit  to  advance  across  the  plain. 

At  this  juncture,  at  about  10  A.  M.,  Colonel  Amory,  then 
commanding  our  brigade,  came  rushing  over  the  county  bridge, 
having  with  him  a  section  of  field  artillery  and  a  small  cavalry 
escort.  He,  with  his  small  command,  dashed  across  the  plain, 
wrhich  was  about  1,200  yards  from  the  bridge,  and  there  opened  on 
Hoke's  command  for  the  sole  purpose  of  drawing  the  enemy's 
fire,  by  which  he  could  readily  understand  the  whereabouts  of 
Hoke  and  the  make-up  of  the  Confederate  forces. 

The  position  of  Colonel  Amory,  near  the  edge  of  the  woods, 
blazing  away  at  the  enemy,  looked  so  isolated  and  dangerous,  that 
the  writer  of  this  sketch,  then  a  captain  in  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts,  said  to  the  major  commanding  the  regiment: 
''Why  wouldn't  you  order  my  company  over  there  to  protect 
our  colonel.  The  enemy  may  burst  from  those  woods  any  moment 
and  either  kill  or  capture  the  little  party."  The  answer  of  the 
major  was  that  he  had  no  order  to  do  so,  and  therefore  would  not 
take  the  responsibilty.  The  captain  then  said,  "If  I  take  the 
responsiblity,  will  you  let  me  go?"  To  which  the  major  answered, 
" No,  sir." 

General  Hoke  was  too  skillful  a  commander  to  respond  to 
Amory's  invitation  to  expose  his  whereabouts  just  then,  and  after 
shelling  the  woods  for  about  an  hour,  Colonel  Amory  and  party 
withdrew,  but  not  until  after  a  monitor  car  had  been  sent  down 
the  railroad  track,  supported  by  Captain  Mullally  and  his  company, 
who  skirmished  continuously  on  and  into  the  woods.  No  enemy 
appearing,  the  company  was  recalled.  On  the  following  day, 
General  Hoke  sent,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  a  demand  for  the  sur 
render  of  the  city,  and  giving  a  short  respite  for  the  removal  of 
the  women  and  children. 

The  Confederate  major  who  commanded  the  flag  party,  and 
after  Hoke's  letter  had  been  forwarded  to  General  Palmer,  talked 
pleasantly  to  the  officers  and  men  composing  our  outpost,  and 


210  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

remarked,  as  he  could  see  the  Gaston  House  from  where  he  sat 
on  his  horse:  "  We  will  have  supper  in  the  Gaston  House  tonight.' ' 
To  this  remark,  Warren  Haines  of  Company  F,  ever  ready  with 
his  cutting  wit,  asked  the  major:  "Have  it  hot  or  cold,  Major?" 
The  surrender  was  refused,  and  some  time  before  the  next  morning, 
Hoke's  army  had  been  suddenly  recalled  by  his  government,  and 
sent  where  he  was  of  more  importance  than  capturing  Newbern. 


BIRTH  OF  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  THE  REGIMENT. 

Colonel  Splaine  thinks  that  it  is  worth  relating  here  that, 
during  the  very  time  that  the  gallant  Colonel  Amory  was  endeavor 
ing  to  draw  the  fire  from  Hoke's  position,  and  almost  unnecessarily 
exposing  himself  in  the  service  of  his  country,  something  of  great 
and  interesting  importance  was  taking  place  at  his  residence  across 
the  Trent  River,  in  the  Governor  Stanley  House,  where  his  wife 
and  children  resided.  The  something  referred  to  was  the  birth 
to  the  wife  of  the  colonel  of  a  beautiful  baby  girl.  Mrs.  Amory, 
in  her  suffering  moments,  heard  the  booming  of  artillery,  and  ask 
ing  the  attending  physicians  and  others  what  the  noise  meant,  was 
told  that  it  was  practice  day  for  the  artillery,  but  the  trained  ear 
of  the  noble  wife,  who  had  campaigned  so  much  with  her  gallant 
husband,  could  not  be  deceived,  whereupon  she  exclaimed,  "Those 
are  shotted  guns,  and  I  fear  the  enemy  is  attacking  our  position." 

The  first  intimation  that  Colonel  Amory  had  of  the  happy 
situation  was  when  he  with  his  section  of  artillery  and  cavalry 
escort  were  near  the  county  bridge.  Returning  from  his  artillery 
challenge  to  Hoke,  he  met  one  of  his  staff  officers  coming  at  full 
gallop  to  appraise  him  of  the  event  at  home.  It  is  needless  to  say 
that  Colonel  Amory  hurried  his  horse,  to  congratulate  his  wife 
and  others  there,  and  also  to  hail  his  new  daughter,  Laura  Carolina 
Amory,  the  future  daughter  of  his  own  regiment. 

The  presence  of  Colonel  Amory  at  his  home,  and  his  assurance 
that  there  was  no  danger  to  the  city  or  her  family,  helped  Mrs. 
Amory  to  recover  rapidly  and  they  were  visited  and  congratulated 


AT  THE  FRONT.  211 

by  all  the  officers  of  rank,  and  by  many  prominent  ladies  from 
the  North  who  were  making  short  visits  to  their  husbands  or  friends. 

A  few  weeks  afterwards,  several  officers  of  the  Seventeenth 
visited  the  home  of  Colonel  Amory  to  pay  their  respects  to  Mrs. 
Amory  and  to  welcome  the  daughter  of  the  regiment  to  membership 
in  the  command.  There  are  a  few  officers  of  the  regiment  still 
alive  at  the  writing  of  this  sketch,  who  saw  the  baby  girl  before 
she  was  able  to  see  them. 

It  was  a  season  of  joy  and  triumph  for  the  Amory  family, 
Laura  receiving  more  attention  than  any  one  else,  while  her 
heroic  father  was  being  complimented  by  every  one  for  his  spirited 
attack  on  Hoke's  army  at  the  critical  moment  when  Laura  was 
born.  But  among  all  who  congratulated  and  complimented 
the  family,  there  was  no  one  prophetically  wise  enough  to  see  in 
the  very  near  future  how  much  sickness,  death  and  sorrow  awaited 
the  Amory  family. 

Soon  after  the  incidents  above  related,  Colonel  Amory  was 
ordered  to  Beaufort  to  take  command  of  that  sub-district  of 
North  Carolina,  his  family  going  there  to  reside  with  him. 

On  July  17,  1864,  Colonel  Amory's  regiment,  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  was  mustered  out  after  a  service  of  three  years, 
the  veterans  of  the  command  being  organized  as  a  veteran  battalion 
and  Colonel  Amory  still  retaining  the  colonelcy.  The  reorganized 
regiment  a  few  weeks  afterwards  was  sent  to  Newport  Barracks, 
or  Shepardsville,  a  section  of  the  colonel's  sub-district  of  Beaufort. 

During  the  latter  part  of  September,  the  veterans  were  per 
mitted  to  go  home  on  forty  days'  furlough,  and  while  in  the  North 
the  members  learned  with  profound  sorrow  of  the  death  of  their 
beloved  commander,  his  wife  and  her  mother,  all  having  died  at 
Beaufort  on  the  seventh  day  of  October,  1864. 

That  terrible  scourge,  the  yellow  fever,  broke  out  in  Newbern, 
and  soon  spread  to  outlying  districts.  The  scourge  reached 
Beaufort  and  carried  off  the  adult  members  of  the  Amory  family, 
leaving  the  four  helpless  children  in  the  hands  of  strangers.  For 
tunately  there  were  two  brothers  of  Colonel  Amory  in  the  Second 
Heavy  Artillery  stationed  at  Newbern,  Major  William  A.  and 
Lieutenant  Robert  G.,  who,  with  the  prompt  and  active  assistance 


212  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

of  Colonel  Jones  Frankle,  commanding  their  regiment,  the  Amory 
children  were  soon  properly  cared  for,  the  three  elder  being  sent 
to  their  grandparents  in  Jamaica  Plain,  Mass.,  while  Laura,  the 
baby,  then  only  five  months  old,  wras  sent  to  her  aunt  then  residing 
in  New  York. 

In  a  short  time,  Laura,  in  charge  of  a  faithful  and  intelligent 
colored  nurse,  both  accompanied  by  a  commissioned  officer, 
the  latter  armed  wth  letters  of  introduction,  reached  the  home 
of  the  baby's  aunt  in  New  York.  The  door  bell  was  rung,  but  a 
servant  looking  out  of  a  window  and  observing  the  colored  woman 
bearing  in  her  arms  a  baby,  called  the  aunt,  saying  "Here  is  a 
colored  woman  with  another  baby."  It  appears  that  on  the  day 
before  Laura's  arrival,  a  foundling  had  been  found  on  the  door 
steps,  and  the  aunt  fearing  that  a  repetition  of  what  happened 
the  day  before  was  about  to  be  enacted,  promptly  ordered  the 
party  away;  but  as  the  party  turned  to  go,  it  was  noticed  that  the 
nurse  and  baby  had  a  companion,  in  the  person  of  the  commis 
sioned  officer,  wrho  was  holding  in  his  hand  some  letters. 

Upon  seeing  this  the  aunt  called  the  party  back,  read  the 
letters,  cordially  welcomed  the  visitors,  and  at  once  proceeded 
to  make  her  baby  niece  comfortable  and  happy.  Within  a  year 
the  little  girl  was  claimed  and  taken  home  by  her  paternal  grand 
parents  to  Jamaica  Plain,  Mass.,  where  she  was  re-united  with 
her  older  brothers  and  sister. 

At  the  age  of  six  she  was  adopted  by  her  uncle,  Major  Charles 
B.  Amory,  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  and 
with  his  family  was  taken  to  New  Orleans,  where  the  major  resided 
during  twenty  years,  engaged  as  a  cotton  merchant.  Laura  grew  to 
be  a  handsome  girl,  and  became  highly  educated  and  accomplished. 
She  became  a  reigning  belle  among  the  four  hundred  of  that 
southern  city.  In  the  course  of  time  she  married  Thomas  C. 
Dugan,  a  rich  sugar  merchant  of  that  city.  He  died  some  ten  years 
afterwards,  when  Mrs.  Dugan  became  a  resident,  alternately,  of 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  Jamaica  Plain,  Hyde  Park  and  Wellesley. 
She  has  travelled  extensively  through  the  European  countries, 
but  of  late  has  spent  much  of  her  time  in  looking  after  the  educa 
tion  of  her  brother's  children. 


AT  THE  FRONT.  213 

In  1899,  she  was  induced  to  attend  a  reunion  of  the  veteran 
soldiers  of  her  father's  regiment  at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  where  she  was 
adopted  as  the  Daughter  of  the  Regiment.  She  has  attended  a 
few  gatherings  since,  and  is  always  a  welcome  guest.  When  she 
writes  or  speaks  about  the  veterans  of  the  Seventeenth,  she  calls 
them  her  soldiers.  She  never  spoke  a  truer  word,  for  they  are  to  a 
man  ready  to  die  for  her  protection.  She  is  not  only  the  Daughter 
of  the  Regiment,  but  also  among  those  warriors  she  reigns  as  their 
queen,  and  the  queen  of  her  father's  own  regiment,  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  Volunteers. 

The  writer  has  just  learned  that  during  the  spring  of  1911, 
the  Daughter  of  the  Regiment  had  become  the  beloved  wife  of 
Hon.  Amory  Appleton  Lawrence  of  Boston. 


A    MOONLIGHT    DRILL. 

In  the  latter  part  of  June,  1864,  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts 
Regiment  was  tenting  on  the  south  side  of  the  Trent  River,  near 
Newbern,  N.  C.  The  officer  in  command  was  Major  Luther  Day, 
Colonel  Fellows  then  being  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  Colonel  Amory 
in  command  of  a  brigade.  At  the  time  the  event  to  be  narrated 
took  place,  Captain  Splaine  was  officer  of  the  day,  and  having 
completed  his  rounds  among  his  guards  was  sauntering  towards 
his  tent,  noting  as  he  went,  what  a  beautiful  night  it  was.  The 
hour  was  midnight.  The  moon  shone  resplendently,  and  the  stars 
seemed  to  sparkle  with  unusual  brilliancy.  As  the  captain 
wonderingly  gazed  upon  the  brilliant  spectacle,  and  thought  what 
it  implied — a  universe  of  grand  and  glowing  orbs,  no  doubt  the 
abodes  of  life  and  enjoyment — he  said  to  himself,  " Astronomy 
must  be  a  fascinating  and  improving  study.  If  I  live  through  this 
war,  I  will  obtain  some  standard  works  on  that  science,  and  try 
to  understand  something  of  its  revelations.' ' 

At  this  moment  he  was  rudely  awakened  to  things  terrestrial 
by  a  voice,  which  said,  "Look  here,  Splaine,  I  want  to  talk  with 
you.  You  have  the  name  of  being  a  good  drill-master,  and  now 


214  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

that  we  are  alone,  no  one  else  to  see  or  hear  us,  I  want  you  to  give 
me  a  good  drilling  in  the  manual  of  arms.  It  is  something  I  am 
woefully  deficient  in  and  I  am  ashamed  of  myself  for  it." 

It  was,  indeed,  a  great  come-down  for  Splaine,  to  be  dragged 
from  the  contemplation  of  the  heavenly  bodies  to  a  moonlight 
drill  in  the  manual  of  arms.  The  voice  that  shattered  his  abstract 
musings  came  from  a  fellow-officer  of  the  Seventeenth,  whom  we 
shall  call  Captain  Squad.  At  a  glance  Captain  Splaine  saw  that 
his  brother  officer  had  been  making  the  rounds  of  the  officers' 
quarters,  and  having  finished  up  a  pleaseant  evening  among 
hospitable  friends,  was  in  a  mood  to  enter  into  any  diversion, 
even  a  drill  in  the  manual  of  arms. 

It  was  well  known  that  Splaine  was  not  devoid  of  humor, 
and  was  fond  of  mischief,  but  not  to  injure  anyone.  He  was  always 
ready  to  help  a  friend,  and  willing  to  take  the  Avorst  end  of  a 
joke  rather  than  offend  a  brother  officer,  even  when  the  latter  was 
at  his  mercy. 

In  reply  to  Squad's  request,  he  said:  "Well,  captain,  if  you 
get  a  musket,  I'll  do  the  best  I  can  for  you.' ' 

Captain  Squad  went  to  the  tent  and  soon  returned  with  the 
desired  weapon.  Assuring  himself  that  it  was  not  loaded,  Splaine 
chose  a  position  with  his  back  to  the  moon,  making  his  pupil  face 
the  moonlight.  The  position  assigned  to  Squad  was  in  front  of  a 
stunted  pine  tree  about  twelve  feet  high,  but  quite  bulky.  Splaine 
addressed  his  pupil  as  he  would  a  squad  of  men  on  drill.  He  began : 

"  Squad,  take  the  position  of  a  soldier  under  arms.  Squad, 
shoulder  arms!  Present  arms!  Now,  extend  the  fingers  of  your 
right  hand  downward  a  little!  There,  all  right!  Steady  now! 
Squad, shoulder  arms!  Squad,  order  arms!  Shoulder  arms!  Squad, 
support  arms!  Squad,  shoulder  arms!  To  fire  by  platoon,  squad, 
ready,  aim,  fire !  Recover  arms !  Shoulder  arms ! 

Here  the  squad  interrupted  by  asking  some  fool  questions, 
but  the  drill  master  soon  suppressed  him  by  saying : 

"No  back  talk  sir;  no  impertinence,  sir!  Even  if  you  are  my 
superior  officer,  you  must  obey  my  orders  while  I  am  instructing 
you.  Steady,  squad,  about  face !' ' 


AT  THE  FRONT.  215 

This  movement  was  not  well  executed,  the  squad  making 
complaint  that  the  sand  where  he  was  standing  was  soft  and  loose. 
Splaine  said,  "  Never  mind  the  sand  on  the  ground.  I  want 
sand  in  the  man.  Steady,  about  face!  Order  arms!  That's 
no  way  to  do  it!  Do  it  with  a  snap.  Shoulder  arms!  Squad, 
charge  bayonets!  Squad,  shoulder  arms!  Squad,  order  arms!" 

At  this  stage  of  the  drill  a  voice  from  behind  the  pine  tree  said, 
in  a  loud  and  authoritative  tone:  "That  is  the  durndest  looking 
squad  I  ever  saw!"  It  was  the  voice  of  Major  Day,  and  was 
unwelcome,  as  it  spoiled  the  fun.  It  ended  the  drill,  and  besides 
depriving  Splaine  of  a  good  deal  of  enjoyment,  it  ended  Captain 
Squad's  ambition.  He  felt  humiliated  and  became  angry,  not 
with  himself  or  Major  Day,  but  with  Splaine,  who  neglected  rest 
and  comfort  to  gratify  his  desire.  Squad  was  so  beside  himself 
with  rage  that  he  threw  the  musket  at  Splaine  and  called  him, 
among  other  things  the  evil  genius  of  the  regiment.  Splaine 
dodged  the  musket,  and  Squad  retired  to  his  tent,  muttering 
curses  as  he  went. 

Major  Day  then  wanted  to  know  why  Splaine  called  his 
friend  "Squad."  Splaine  said  he  couldn't  call  him  battalion, 
company  or  platoon  because  he  was  none  of  these  things,  and  he 
couldn't  call  him  recruit,  for  he  wasn't  a  recruit,  so  he  had  called 
him  "squad"  in  the  absence  of  any  other  title,  and  added  that  he 
wouldn't  have  made  much  of  a  mistake  if  he  had  called  him 
"  awkward  squad." 

It  wasn't  more  than  two  days  before  every  officer  in  the  regi 
ment  knew  the  story  of  the  famous  moonlight  drill  and  the  cir 
cumstances  attending  it,  and  it  was  not  a  rare  thing  to  hear  some 
of  them  singing — 

"  I'm  a  raw  recruit  from  a  country  town,' '  etc. 

Captain  Squad  heard  it,  but  never  noticed  it.  He  was  game 
and  took  his  medicine  like  a  little  man. 


216  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

CAPTURE  AND  FATE  OF  A  REBEL  SPY. 


BY  WM.  H.  EATON,  COMPANY  B. 

During  the  early  summer  of  1864,  Company  B,  Captain 
Tompkins,  was  on  outpost  duty  at  Evans  Mills,  an  important 
strategical  position  some  six  miles  south  of  Newbern,  and  west  of 
the  railway  running  from  the  latter  city  to  Morhead  City.  At 
that  time  the  rebels  were  active  in  that  section,  threatening  to 
cut  off  the  Union  forces  in  Newbern  from  communication  by  rail 
with  the  sea,  the  design  evidently  being  to  "bottle  them  up"  in 
the  Newbern  district. 

To  guard  against  this,  our  forces  in  this  section  of  the  district 
were  required  to  be  particularly  vigilant,  especially  in  that  section 
where  the  Evans  Mills  were  located,  and  where  a  blockhouse  had 
been  established,  and  other  works  of  a  defensive  character  con 
structed.  At  this  post  also  was  stationed  a  company  of  the  Second 
Carolina  Mounted  Infantry  in  command  of  Captain  Graham. 

One  day  the  outer  vidette  brought  in  word  to  the  picket  at 
the  inner  bridge  that  a  suspicious  person  had  been  seen  lurking 
around  for  two  hours  or  more ;  that  the  vidette  had  given  chase  to 
him,  and  that  he  had  escaped  in  a  swamp.  This  intelligence  being 
quickly  conveyed  to  headquarters  (in  the  old  Evans  House) 
the  company  was  at  once  ordered  out  and  proceeded  to  the  place 
where  the  fugitive  had  disappeared.  This  was  a  pond  rather  than 
a  swamp,  with  water  from  knee  high  to  waist  deep.  In  about  the 
center  of  this  pond  was  a  large  hillock  covered  with  coarse  cane 
grass,  about  twelve  feet  high  above  the  water  surface.  The 
company  was  deployed  from  the  road  011  both  sides  of  the  hillock, 
and  the  men  were  ordered  by  Captain  Tompkins  to  cross  over 
to  deep  water  and  search  the  hillock  thoroughly.  This  was  done, 
but  no  one  was  found  there. 

Two  members  of  the  company,  William  H.  Eaton  (who  was 
acting  headquarters  clerk)  and  George  Pitman,  Jr.,  continued  the 
search,  the  latter  saying,  "  Billy,  you  go  to  the  right,  and  I  will  go 
to  the  left,  and  make  all  the  noise  you  can  in  the  water."  This 
suggestion  was  made  at  the  rear  of  the  hillock,  and  both  started 


AT  THE  FRONT.  217 

again  to  go  around  it  on  opposite  sides.  As  the  two  men  came 
around  and  turned  to  meet  each  other,  a  strange  thing  happened. 
A  man  lifted  his  head  above  the  water  and  stood  up.  As  quick  as 
a  flash  the  soldiers  grabbed  him,  Eaton  by  the  right  shoulder  and 
Pitman  by  the  left,  and  took  him  and  his  belongings  onto  the  road. 
They  marched  him  to  headquarters  where  he  was  searched. 
In  his  pocket  was  found  a  waterproof  tin  can,  in  which,  on  oiled 
silk,  were  complete  drawings  of  the  camp  and  fortifications  of 
Evans  Mills,  finely  executed.  He  had  with  him  a  six-shooter 
carbine. 

The  prisoner,  who  did  not  reveal  his  name,  was  carried  to 
Newbern,  tried  by  courtmartial,  convicted  as  a  spy  and  shot. 


MUSTER   OUT   OF   THE   OLD   SEVENTEENTH. 

About  the  first  day  of  July,  1864,  Major  Day,  then  command 
ing  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  was  notified  that 
orders  were  soon  to  be  promulgated  for  the  muster-out  of  the 
regiment,  and  that  it  would  be  well  to  begin  preparations  for  that 
event.  There  was  also  at  the  same  time  a  confidential  letter 
from  General  Palmer,  commanding  the  district  of  North  Caro 
lina,  to  every  commissioned  officer  of  the  regiment,  asking  each 
to  state  whether  he  would  like  to  remain  in  the  service  instead 
of  going  home  with  his  regiment.  What  the  answers  were,  no 
one  except  the  officers  themselves,  General  Palmer  and  his  assistant 
adjutant-general,  ever  knew. 

The  object  of  these  inquries  was  to  enable  the  general  to 
select  from  among  those  signifying  their  desire  to  remain  in  the 
service,  a  sufficient  number  of  suitable  and  efficient  officers  to  take 
charge  of  the  veteran  volunteers  who  had  re-enlisted  in  the  field, 
and  some  recruits  whose  term  of  enlistment  would  run  on  for 
from  about  four  months  to  two  years. 

The  officers  did  not  hear  from  General  Palmer  in  answer  to 
their  confidential  replies  until  the  15th  of  the  month,  and  it  may 
be  assumed  that  while  some  of  them  may  have  been  disappointed, 


218  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

others  had  received  even  more  consideration  than  they  had  ex 
pected  from  the  general. 

The  preparations  for  the  muster-out  went  on  from  day  to  day, 
until  about  every  detail  was  finished,  except  to  receive  and  read 
the  official  orders  and  muster-out  rolls — requiring  arduous  and 
patient  work  to  prepare.  Government  property  no  longer  needed 
was  invoiced  to  the  quartermaster;  officers  final  account,  including 
arms,  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  clothing,  ammunition  and  other 
stores,  had  to  be  figured  up,  acted  upon,  and  final  returns  made 
to  the  authorities  in  Washington,  without  whose  receipt  and  a 
statement  that  the  accounts  were  correct,  and  that  the  officer  was 
not  indebted  to  the  government,  the  said  officer  could  not  receive 
his  final  pay. 

Things  went  along  in  this  way  for  two  weeks,  some  of  the 
officers  and  men  elated  at  the  prospect  of  getting  home,  while 
some  of  the  officers  w^ere  somewhat  gloomy,  not  knowing  what  the 
outcome  of  their  letters  to  General  Palmer  would  be. 

At  last,  on  July  14th,  the  first  order  was  received,  and  the 
second  and  final  order  was  received  on  July  15th.  Here  they  are: 

HEADQUARTERS. 

SPECIAL  ORDERS,  DISTRICT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

No.  80.  NEW  BERNE,  N.  C.,  July  14,  1864. 

EXTRACT. 

I.  All  enlisted  men  of  the  17th  Regt.  Mass.  Vol.  Inf'y, 
now  on  detach  service,  will  report  in  person  to  Major  L.  DAY, 
commanding,  regiment,  at  the  camp,  before  twelve  o'clock,  M., 
tomorrow,  the  15th  inst.  This  is  Imperative,  and  the  officers  now 
in  charge  of  these  men  will  be  held  strictly  accountable  for  the 
prompt  and  complete  execution  of  this  order.  Major  DAY  will 
report  to  these  Head-Quarters  any  and  every  instance  of  failure  in 
these  men  to  so  report.  When  they  do  arrive  they  will  remain 
in  camp  with  their  companies. 

By  command  of  Brig.  Gen'l  I.  N.  Palmer : 

J.  A.  JUDSON, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


AT  THE  FRONT.  219 

HEADQUARTERS. 

SPECIAL  ORDERS,  DISTRICT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

No.  81.  NEW  BERNE,  N.  C.,  July  15,  1864. 

EXTRACT. 

III.  The  term  of  service  of  a  portion  of  the  17th  Regiment 
Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry  having  expired,  the  following 
orders  in  execution  of  the  provisions  of  Circular  No.  35,  current 
series  from  War  Department,  Adjutant  General's  Office,  are  pub 
lished  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  all  concerned. 

The  re-enlisted  men  (veterans)  and  all  recruits  (drafted  and 
volunteer),  who  have  joined  the  regiment  since  the  date  of  its 
original  muster-in,  except  those  men  enlisted  under  the  authority 
of  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  War  given  to  the  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Massachusetts  by  telegram  dated  Washington,  D.  C., 
July  21st,  1862,  and  published  in  General  Orders,  No.  28,  series 
of  1862,  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts;  all  those  men  who 
enlisted  prior  to  the  date  of  the  orders  referred  to,  and  WHO 
RECEIVED  NO  BOUNTY;  and  to  those  men  who  enlisted  in 
the  regiment  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts  after  its  muster-in 
and  prior  to  its  leaving  for  the  seat  of  war,  will  be  formed  into 
three  companies  of  the  legal  maximum  standard.  The  remainder 
of  this  same  class  not  sufficient  to  form  a  full  company  will  at 
the  same  time  be  organized  as  a  company.  The  men  who  com 
pose  this  last  will  be  selected  from  those  who  have  the  least 
time  of  the  whole  to  serve.  These  companies  (new  organization), 
will  be  designated  "A,' '  " B,"  "  C,' '  and  "  D,' '  and  will  be  officered 
by  the  following  named  officers : 

Col.  Thos.  I.  C.  Amory, 

Capt.  Henry  Splaine, 

Capt.Wm.W.  Smith, 

Capt.  John  E.Mullally, 

1st  Lieut.  Thos.  F.  Newton, 

1st  Lieut.  James  Splaine, 

2d  Lieut.  Joseph  A.  Moore, 

2d  Lieut.  Lewis  Cann, 

Assistant  Surgeon  G.  W.  Clarke. 


220  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

The  small  company  ("D")  will  be  officered  by  one  of  the 
above  mentioned  1st  Lieutenants  only. 

The  companies  will  be  organized  in  the  following  manner  to 
facilitate  future  musters-out : 

Company  "A"  will  be  composed  entirely  of  veterans.  Com 
pany  "B"  will  be  composed  of  the  remaining  veterans,  and  a 
sufficient  number  of  men  (to  complete  the  maximum  organization 
—not  veterans)  who'  have  the  longest  time  to  serve.  Company 
"C"  will  be  composed  of  the  next  class  of  men  whose  terms  of 
service  next  expires.  Company  UD"  will  be  composed  of  the 
remainder. 

The  officers  will  be  assigned  according  to  present  rank — 
the  senior  officers  to  the  company  longest  to  serve. 

In  the  expectation  that  the  regiment  will  be  filled  up,  it  will 
retain  its  own  designation,  the  17th  Massachusetts  Volunteers, 
and  the  regimental  colors  will  be  retained  by  Colonel  Amory. 

All  Quartermaster's  property,  Clothing,  Camp  and  Garrison 
Equipages  now  in  the  hands  of  the  Company  Commanders  and 
not  necessary  for  the  new  company  will  be  immediately  turned 
over  to  the  present  Regimental  Quartermaster,  who  is  hereby 
directed  to  receive  the  same  as  of  such  condition  as  he  may  see 
fit  to  determine.  He  will  then  turn  in  this,  and  all  other  Quarter 
master's  property  for  which  he  is  responsible  to  the  proper  officer 
of  the  Quartermaster's  Department  at  New  Berne,  X.  C.,  retaining, 
however  sufficient  to  provide  for  the  comfort  of  the  regiment  on 
the  voyage  to  the  place  of  enrollment. 

The  necessary  Ordnance  and  Ordnance  stores,  to  provide 
for  the  new  organization,  will  be  transferred  to  the  new  Com 
mandants  of  Companies  by  the  officers  now  responsible  for  them 
to  be  received  as  of  such  condition  as  the  receiving  officers  may  see 
fit. 

The  remainder  of  the  public  property  in  the  hands  of  the 
regiment  will  be  taken  to  the  place  of  enrollment,  and  there  trans 
ferred  to  the  proper  officers. 

These  arrangements  concluded,  the  remainder  of  the  regi 
ment,  under  the  direction  of  the  Senior  Officer  to  be  mustered 
out,  will  then  proceed  to  the  place  of  enrollment  (via  Fort  Monroe, 


AT  THE  FRONT.  221 

Va.,)  there  to  be  mustered  out  and  paid  off  in  accordance  with  the 
Mustering  Regulations  of  the  Army. 

The  Quartermaster's  Department  will  furnish  transportation. 
"  Fort  Spinola' '  Wharf  will  be  the  place  of  embarkation. 

IV.  The  Commanding  General  takes  this  occasion  to  ex 
press  his  regret  at  the  loss  of  the  17th  Massachusetts  Volunteers. 
The  officers  and  men  have  served  faithfully,  and  they  have  fairly 
earned  the  glad  welcome  they  will  surely  receive  in  the  Old  Bay 
State. 

To  the  veterans  of  the  regiment  he  also  wishes  to  express  his 
regret  that  he  is  not  able,  at  this  time,  to  permit  them  to  go  home 
with  their  comrades ;  but  he  hopes  soon  to  be  able  to  grant  them 
the  furlough  so  long  deferred. 

By  command  of  Brig.  Gen'l  I.  N.  Palmer: 

J.  A.  JUDSON, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Upon  receipt  of  the  final  order  (dated  July  15,  1864,  above 
given)  and  the  officers  having  about  completed  their  returns  and 
other  accounts  with  the  government,  and  also  knowing  as  to 
whether  they  were  going  home  or  were  to  remain  in  the  service, 
there  was  much  consultation  among  them  as  to  present  conditions 
and  future  prospects.  It  was  the  breaking  up  of  comrade  associa 
tion,  which,  as  the  time  approached,  caused  much  mutual  friendly 
regret.  Some  were  pleased  to  go  home,  others  would  have  been 
willing  to  remain  if  chosen,  while  those  who  had  been  chosen  to  re 
main  were  proud  of  the  honor  conferred  on  them;  but  whether  going 
home,  remaining,  or  willing  to  remain,  a  gloom  pervaded  the 
whole  camp. 

Officers  and  men  who  had  been  together  during  three  years  of 
honorable  service  were  now  about  to  separate — some  for  a  short 
time,  some  for  a  longer  period,  and  some  perhaps  forever:  They 
had  shared  in  the  pleasures  and  social  life  of  the  camp  when  relaxa 
tion  was  possible  and  permissable;  they  had  shared  in  the  hard 
ships  of  the  march,  the  bivouac  and  the  battle;  they  had  suffered 
hunger,  thirst  and  other  privations;  they  were  loyal  and  brave  to 
gether, and  had  been  at  all  times  ready  to  peril  their  lives, separately 


222  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

or  together  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union  and  the  honor  and 
glory  of  their  country's  flag. 

On  Saturday,  July  16,  1864,  it  being  the  day  after  receiving 
the  final  order  for  muster-out,  the  old  regiment  broke  camp  and 
marched  from  the  south  side  of  the  Trent  River  to  Fort  Spinola 
on  the  Neuse,  where  they  boarded  the  steamers  "New  Jersey" 
and  "Parthenion"  for  Fortress  Monroe,  on  their  way  home  to  the 
place  of  enrollment  for  final  muster-out  and  pay. 

As  the  old  regiment  was  breaking  camp  on  that  July  day,  it 
was  a  moving  spectacle  to  see  the  officers  and  men  who  were  going 
home  and  those  who  were  to  remain  in  the  service,  mingle,  speak  a 
few  words,  shake  hands  and  say  good  bye. 

Colonel  Amory  was  not  present  to  bid  farewell  to  the  officers 
and  men  of  his  regiment.  If  he  were  he  would  have  been  proud 
to  thank  his  command  for  the  honorable  and  efficient  services  which 
they  had  rendered  their  country,  and  he  would  wish  them  godspeed 
to  their  and  his  own  state  of  Massachusetts.  He  was  then  on  duty 
as  commander  of  the  sub-district  of  Beaufort,  and  could  not  be 
present. 

Colonel  Fellows  was  not  there  to  take  home  the  regiment  of 
his  pride,  or  to  wish  the  members  a  fond  farewell.  Colonel  Fel 
lows,  at  this  time,  with  seven  of  his  officers  and  sixty-two  of  his 
men,  were  languishing  in  Confederate  prisons,  as  a  result  of  having 
been  neglected,  and  even  deserted,  by  other  commands  in  the 
battle  of  Batchelder's  Creek  on  February  1,  1864.  Some  of  the 
officers  returned  physical  wrecks,  while  of  the  sixty-two  enlisted 
men,  fifty-eight  were  starved  to  death  in  Andersonville  prison. 

Had  Colonels  Amory  and  Fellows  been  present  they  no  doubt 
would  have  told  the  officers  and  men  of  the  regiment  that  they  had 
left  their  state  in  honor,  had  served  their  term  of  enlistment  in  the 
field  with  honor  and  that  now  they  would  have  taken  them  home 
in  honor,  without  a  single  blot  or  stain  on  the  character  of  officers 
or  men,  that  no  act  of  theirs  had  sullied  the  reputation  of  their 
splendid  regiment  or  dimmed  the  lustre  of  a  single  star  on  the  im 
perishable  Flag  they  carried. 

The  regiment  was  under  command  of  Major  Luther  Day,  who 
marched  it  to  Fort  Spinola  for  embarkation  for  Fortress  Monroe 


AT  THE  FRONT.  223 

and  Massachusetts.  As  the  regiment  took  up  their  march,  Captain 
Splaine,  who  was  to  remain  in  command  of  the  veteran  battalion, 
shouted  to  the  officers  and  men  who  were  about  to  become  his 
subordinates :  "Every  mother's  son  of  you — officers,  men,  guards, 
cooks  and  all — go  to  Fort  Spinola,  see  your  old  comrades  off,  and 
cheer  them  as  they  go.  Lieutenant  Moore  and  I  will  keep  camp 
until  you  return.  I  shall  expect  you  all  back  at  a  reasonable 
hour!" 

Thus  ended  the  service  in  the  field  of  the  gallant  old  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry. 


RICHARD  PCRTILL 
AT,BI-:RT  J.  COOK. 


A  x  D  H  i :  \v  P .   L  K  w  i 


SAMTKL  J.    Foiti). 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


BIRTH  OF  THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEERS 
— CAPTAIN  HENRY  SPLAINE  ASSUMES  COMMAND — COMMAND 
TRANSFERRED  TO  NEWPORT  BARRACKS — CAPTAIN  SPLAINE 
IN  COMMAND  OF  POST — ALTERCATION  WITH  CAPTAIN  GRAHAM 
— GENERAL  PALMER  FEARS  ATTACK  ALONG  THE  WHOLE  LINE 
— SOME  RECRUITS  ARRIVE — CHASE  OF  NICKERSON,  THE  REBEL 
SCOUT — CAPTURE  OF  SERGEANT  PERKINS' — MORE  OF  CAP 
TAIN  GRAHAM — CAPTURE  OF  CAPTAIN  GEORGE  BELL  OF  CON 
FEDERATE  ARMY — ORDERED  HOME  ON  VETERAN  FURLOUGH 
—YELLOW  FEVER  BREAKS  OUT — DEATH  OF  COLONEL  AMORY 
— VIEW  OF  NEWBERN  AFTER  FURLOUGH — TRADING  DAY  AT 
OUTPOSTS — REGIMENT  TO  BE  FILLED  UP — UNLAWFUL  KEEP 
ING  OF  RECRUITS  IN  SECOND  HEAVY  ARTILLERY — ARRIVAL 
OF  LIEUT. -CoL.  FELLOWS,  COMMISSIONED  AS  COLONEL — 
CAPTAIN  GRAHAM  AGAIN — GENERAL  GRANT  AND  THE  SEN 
TRY — MANY  RECRUITS  FROM  SECOND  HEAVY  ARTILLERY- 
FAILURE  OF  COLONEL  FELLOWS  TO  MUSTER — EIGHT  FULL 
COMPANIES  ORGANIZED — LEAVING  NEWPORT  BARRACKS  FOR 
THE  FIELD. 

(An  officer  of  the  Old  and  New  Seventeenth  Regiment  con 
tributes  the  following  in  regard  to  the  formation  of  the  new  regi 
ment)  : 

On  July  17,  1864,  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  Massachusetts 
Volunteer  Infantry,  having  taken  its  departure  from  the  seat  of 
war,  after  a  service  of  three  years,  for  the  purpose  of  final  pay  and 
muster-out  of  the  United  States,  Captain  Henry  Splaine  (officially) 
assumed  command  of  the  veterans  who  had  re-enlisted  in  the 
field,  and  some  recruits  who  had  enlisted  for  two  or  three  years. 

[225] 


226  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

The  companies  were  organized  in  accordance  with  the  provisions,  of 
Special  Order  No.  81  from  Headquarters,  District  of  North  Carolina, 
dated  Newbern,  North  Carolina,  July  15,  1864,  Brigadier-General 
I.  N.  Palmer  commanding. 

HEADQUARTERS. 
DISTRICT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

SPECIAL  ORDERS.  NEW  BERNE,  N.  C.,  JULY  15th,  1864. 

EXTRACT. 

III.  The  term  of  service  of  a  portion  of  the  17th  Regiment 
Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry  having  expired,  the  following 
orders  in  execution  of  the  provisions  of  Circular  No.  36,  current 
series  from  War  Department,  Adjutant  General's  Office  are  pub 
lished  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  all  concerned. 

The  re-enlisted  men  (veterans)  and  all  recruits  (drafted  and 
volunteer)  who  have  joined  the  regiment  since  the  date  of  its 
original  muster-in,  except  those  men  enlisted  under  the  authority 
of  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  War  given  to  the  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Massachusetts  by  telegram,  dated  Washington,  D.  C., 
July  21st,  1862,  and  published  in  General  Orders  No.  28,  series  of 
1862,  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts;  all  those  men  who  enlisted 
prior  to  the  date  of  the  orders  referred  to,  AND  WHO  RECEIVED 
NO  BOUNTY;  and  to  those  men  who  enlisted  in  the  regiment 
of  the  State  of  Massachusetts  after  its  muster-in  and  prior  to  its 
leaving  for  the  seat  of  war,  will  be  formed  into  three  companies  of 
the  legal  maximum  standard.  The  remainder  of  this  same  class 
not  sufficient  to  form  a  full  company  will  at  the  same  time  be 
organized  as  a  company.  The  men  who  compose  this  last  will  be 
selected  from  those  who  have  the  least  time  of  the  whole  to  serve. 
These  companies  (new  organization)  will  be  designated  "A/; 
"  B,"  "  C,"  and  "  D' ',  and  will  be  officered  by  the  following-named 
officers : 

Col.  THOMAS  I.  C.  AMORY,  1st  Lieut,  THOMAS  F.  NEWTON, 

Capt.  HENRY  SPLAINE,  1st  Lieut.  JAMES  SPLAINE, 

Capt.  WILLIAM  W.  SMITH,  2d  Lieut,  JOSEPH  A.  MOORE, 

Capt.  JOHN  E.  MULLALLY,  2d  Lieut,  LEWIS  CANN, 

Asst.  Surgeon,  G.  W.  CLARKE. 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  227 

The  small  company  ("  D'  ')will  be  officered  by  one  of  the  above 
mentioned  1st  Lieutenants  only. 

The  companies  will  be  organized  in  the  following  manner  to 
facilitate  future  musters-out : 

Company  "A"  will  be  composed  entirely  of  veterans.  Com 
pany  "B"  will  be  composed  of  the  remaining  veterans,  and  a 
sufficient  number  of  men  (to  complete  the  maximum  organization— 
not  veterans)  who  have  the  longest  time  to  serve.  Company  "C' 
will  be  composed  of  the  next  class  of  men  whose  terms  of  service 
next  expire.  Company  "  D"  will  be  composed  of  the  remainder. 

The  officers  will  be  assigned  according  to  present  rank — the 
senior  officers  to  the  companies  longest  to  serve.  In  the  expecta 
tion  that  the  regiment  will  be  filled  up,  it  will  retain  its  own  designa 
tion, — the  17th  Massachusetts  Volunteers, — and  the  regimental 
colors  will  be  retained  by  Colonel  Amory. 

All  Quartermaster's  property,  Clothing,  Camp  and  Garrison 
Equipage  now  in  the  hands  of  the  Company  Commanders  and  not 
necessary  for  the  new  companies  will  be  immediately  turned  over 
to  the  present  Regimental  Quartermaster,  who  is  hereby  directed 
to  receive  the  same  as  of  such  condition  as  he  shall  see  fit  to  deter 
mine.  He  will  then  turn  in  this,  and  all  other  Quartermaster's 
property  for  which  he  is  responsible  to  the  proper  officer  of  the 
Quartermaster's  Department  at  New  Berne,  N.  C.,  retaining,  how 
ever,  sufficient  to  provide  for  the  comfort  of  the  regiment  on  the 
voyage  to  the  place  of  enrollment. 

The  necessary  Ordnance  and  Ordnance  stores,  to  provide  for 
the  new  organization,  will  be  transferred  to  the  new  commandants 
of  Companies  by  the  officers  now  responsible  for  them  to  be  re 
ceived  as  of  such  condition  as  the  receiving  officers  may  see  fit. 

The  remainder  of  the  public  property  in  the  hands  of  the  regi 
ment  will  be  taken  to  the  place  of  enrollment,  and  there  transferred 
to  the  proper  officers. 

These  arrangements  concluded,  the  remainder  of  the  regiment, 
under  the  direction  of  the  senior  officer  to  be  mustered  out,  will 
then  proceed  to  the  place  of  enrollment  (via,  Fort  Monroe,  Va.), 
there  to  be  mustered  out  and  paid  off,  in  accordance  with  the 
Mustering  Regulations  of  the  Army. 


228  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

The  Quartermaster's  Department  will  furnish  transportation. 
"  Fort  Spinola' '  Wharf  will  be  the  place  of  embarkation. 

IV.  The  Commanding  General  takes  this  occasion  to  ex 
press  his  regret  at  the  loss  of  the  17th  Massachusetts  Volunteers. 
The  officers  and  men  have  served  faithfully,  and  they  have  fairly 
earned  the  glad  welcome  they  will  surely  receive  in  the  Old  Bay 
State. 

To  the  veterans  of  the  regiment  he  also  wishes  to  express  his 
regret  that  he  is  not  able,  at  this  time,  to  permit  them  to  go  home 
with  their  comrades;  but  he  hopes  soon  to  be  able  to  grant  them 
the  furlough  so  long  deferred. 

By  command  of  Brig.  Gen'l  I.  N.  Palmer: 

J.  A.  JUDSON, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

In  obedience  to  the  provisions  of  the  foregoing  order,  Captain 
Henry  Splaine,  the  senior  officer  present,  assumed  command  of  the 
veterans  and  other  enlisted  men  remaining  in  service  after  the 
muster-out  of  the  three-years'  regiment,  organized  them  into  com 
panies  and  assigned  the  officer  in  the  following  order: 

COMPANY  "  A." 

Captain  HENRY  SPLAINE, 
1st  Lieut.  JAMES  SPLAINE, 
2d  Lieut.  JOSEPH  A.  MOORE. 

COMPANY  "B." 

Captain  WILLIAM  W.  SMITH, 
1st  Lieut.  THOMAS  F.  NEWTON, 
2d  Lieut.  LEWIS  CANN. 

COMPANY  "C." 

Captain  JOHN  E.  MULLALY, 
2d  Lieut.  MALCOLM  SILLARS. 

COMPANY  "D." 
2d  Lieut.  LEWIS  CANN. 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  229 

2d  Lieut.  Joseph  A.  Moore  was  detailed  as.  acting  adjutant 
and  acting  quartermaster  of  the  battalion. 

In  assigning  the  men  to  the  different  companies,  the  first 
official  act  of  Captain  Splaine  was  to  assign  Charles  S.  Bolton 
(of  Company  H,  old  regiment)  to  Company  A  of  the  new  command, 
in  justice  to  Bolton,  who  had  been  deprived  of  the  right  to  serve 
in  Company  A,  notwithstanding  that  the  law  and  regulations  under 
which  he  had  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  volunteer  gave  him  that  right. 
At  the  time  of  his  re-enlistment,  he  and  many  others  (too  many,  in 
fact)  in  other  companies  had  chosen  to  serve  in  that  company, 
but  there  was  not  room  for  them,  and  as  a  result  they  were  re 
manded  to  their  own  companies.  Bolton  alone  persisted,  as  his 
right,  to  serve  in  the  company  of  his  choice,  and  although  he  never 
refused  duty  in  his  own  company,  he  made  it  hot  for  some  of  his 
superior  officers  because  they  had  not  done  him  justice.  The 
matter  became  so  warm  that  it  was  referred  to  the  general  com 
manding  the  district,  and  by  him  to  General  B.F.Butler,  then  in 
command  of  the  department.  The  result  of  this  agitation  was  that 
Bolton  was  held  to  duty  in  his  own  company,  and  deprived  of  his 
veteran  furlough  of  forty  days  in  his  state. 

The  new  command  now  settled  down  to  business.  The  camp 
was  remodeled  and  greatly  reduced  in  size.  Guard  duty  and  com 
pany  drills  became  the  order  of  the  clay.  The  closest  attention 
was  paid  to  the  comfort  of  the  men;  their  uniforms  and  equipments 
were  thoroughly  cared  for,  and  it  is  safe  to  say  that  in  a  few  days 
they  were  fit  for  any  service  required  of  them. 

The  command,  however,,  was  destined  to  stay  in  this  camp 
only  a  few  days,  for  on  July  26,  1864,  in  compliance  with  orders 
from  District  Headquarters,  the  battalion  broke  camp  and  pro 
ceeded  to  Newport  Barracks,  in  the  town  of  Shepardsville,  some 
twenty-six  miles  below  Newbern,  on  the  line  of  the  railroad  to 
Beaufort,  where  it  relieved  the  Ninth  Vermont  Regiment,  Colonel 
Ripley, — the  Ninth  proceeding  the  same  day  by  rail  to  Newbern. 
The  battalion  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  reached  Newport 
Barracks  so  late  that  evening  that  the  officers  and  men  had  very 
little  opportunity  to  look  around  and  see  where  they  were  at  until 
the  next  day. 


230  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Upon  assuming  command  at  Newport  Barracks,  on  July  27th, 
Captain  Splaine  found  himself  at  the  head  of  his  own  battalion, 
two  companies  of  New  York  Cavalry — Captains  Cummings  and 
Span— one  company  of  the  Second  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery 
— Captain  N. P. Fuller;  and  last,  but  not  least,  a  company  of  the 
Second  North  Carolina  Union  Volunteers,  commanded  by  the 
notorious  Capt.  G.  W.  Graham — making  in  all  a  command  of  about 
700  men  for  Captain  Splaine  to  look  after.  Graham's  company 
was  composed  of  loyal  North  Carolinans,  commonly  called  "Buffa 
loes."  The  regiment  to  which  this  company  belonged  was  infan 
try,  but  they  were  mounted  and  performed  the  duty  of  cavalry. 
They  were  a  brave  and  daring  set  of  men. 

The  order  from  General  Palmer,  under  which  Captain  Splaine 
and  his  command  went  to  Newport,  instructed  the  captain  to  oc 
cupy  the  quarters  vacated  by  the  Ninth  Vermont,  the  latter  in  turn 
to  occupy  the  quarters  vacated  by  the  Seventeenth  near  Newbern. 
The  Ninth  Vermont  had  been  stationed  at  Newport  Barracks  for 
some  time,  and  had  constructed  some  comfortable  little  huts,  which 
afforded  them  good  shelter  during  the  winter  months. 

During  Captain  Splaine's  first  day's  duty  at  his  new  post,  his 
attention  was  called  to  some  excitement  among  the  soldiers  near 
the  quarters  of  the  men  of  his  battalion.  On  reaching  the  scene 
of  the  disturbance,  he  found  that  Captain  Graham's  men  had  re 
moved  many  of  the  huts  of  the  Ninth  Vermont  from  the  company 
streets,  leaving  them  in  a  very  irregular,  and  dilapidated  condition. 
They  had  stolen  the  houses  while  the  Ninth  Vermont  were  vaca 
ting  their  camp,  and  before  Captain  Splaine's  men  had  reached  it. 
When  the  captain  reached  the  scene  of  disturbance,  he  found  his 
men  demanding  the  restoration  of  the  stolen  property,  and  Gra 
ham's  men,  backed  by  their  captain,  determined  not  to  give  it  up. 
Captain  Splaine  asked  Graham  what  the  trouble  was.  The  latter 
said  his  men  had  taken  the  houses  from  the  quarters  of  the  Ninth 
Vermont,  and  were  going  to  keep  them  as  they  had  as  good  a  right 
to  them  as  any  body  else.  Captain  Splaine  cooly  said : 

"Now,  Captain  Graham,  we  will  read  General  Palmer's  order 
sending  me  down  here  to  relieve  the  Ninth  Vermont  Regiment.  It 
says:  'and  to  occupy  their  camp,  and  also  to  utilize  any  barracks, 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  231 

houses  or  huts  used  by  the  said  Ninth  Vermont,  for  the  purpose  of 
comfortably  sheltering  your  command  during  the  winter  months.' 
Now,  you  see,  captain,  that  the  order  which  I  have  quoted  to 
you  makes  my  command  the  owners  of  the  property  in  dispute, 
and  1  want  it  restored  at  once.  At  the  same  time,  if  you  feel 
that  it  would  humiliate  you  or  your  men  to  move  these  huts 
and  the  lumber  back,  I  will,  if  you  will  send  your  men  to  their 
quarters,  have  my  men  do  the  work.  You  know,  captain,  that  your 
men  and  mine  are  fighting  in  the  same  cause,  and  that  there  is 
enough  to  do  to  take  care  of  the  common  enemy  without  fighting 
among  ourselves." 

Graham  and  his  men  were  ugly.  Splaine's  men  were  not  a  bit 
angelic,  and  there  was  grave  danger  of  a  clash.  If  a  single  hostile 
move  had  been  made  by  either  side,  the  Lord  only  knows  where  it 
might  have  ended.  Graham  insisted  that  his  men  would  keep 
what  they  had  taken.  Splaine  was  provoked,  but  maintained  his 
temper  and  dignity.  Finding  Graham  would  not  yield,  he  now 
asserted  his  authority  as  commanding  officer,  and  ordered  him  to 
return  the  property.  Graham's  right  hand  reached  for  his  pistol. 
Splaine  reached  for  his  own  in  a  flash,  and  obtained  a  position  on 
the  right  of  his  opponent,  which  is  a  decided  advantage  when  two 
men  are  handling  pistols.  Splaine  ordered  Graham  to  send  his 
men  to  their  quarters,  adding  that  he  (Splaine)  would  send  his 
to  theirs,  and  that  then  the  two  officers  would  have  a  better  oppor 
tunity  to  settle  their  differences.  At  this,  Graham  did  order  his 
men  to  their  quarters,  but  they  did  not  go.  "  Pretty  discipline, 
captain,  isn't  it?"  said  Splaine.  "I  will  show  you  what  disci 
pline  is. — Seventeenth,  go  to  your  quarters!"  and  every  man  of 
them  obeyed  the  order. 

About  this  time,  one  of  Graham's  men  approached  Captain 
Splaine  in  a  threatening  manner,  using  offensive  language,  when  to 
his  utter  astonishment  he  was  quickly  disposed  of,  and  fell  back 
ward  over  a  log.  Much  surprised  at  his  reception,  the  fellow  picked 
himself  up  and  sought  his  quarters.  At  this  stage  of  the  affair, 
Capt.  Splaine  again  asked  Graham  if  he  would  send  his  men  to  their 
quarters.  Graham  said  he  would  not  restore  the  property,  but  the 
men  could  go  to  their  quarters  if  they  wanted  to.  At  this  Captain 


232  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Splaine  shouted  to  Graham:  "These  huts  are  going  back,  even  if 
they  have  to  be  carried  over  my  dead  body !  Shall  I  order  my  men 
to  arm  and  take  the  property  by  force?  Or  will  you  submit  to 
lawful  authority  and  actlike  a  gentleman  and  an  officer?' ' 

Both  officers  were  gripping  their  pistols  and  their  eyes  were 
flashing.  The  men  of  Captain  Splaine's  command,  hearing  his 
loud  words,  and  fearing  for  his  safety,  moved  like  a  wave  towards 
the  spot  where  the  argument  was  being  held.  At  last  Graham 
seemed  to  realize  that  he  had  met  a  man  who  was  not  a  bit  afraid  of 
him.  He  dropped  his  hand  from  his  pistol,  faced  to  the  right, 
saluted  Captain  Splaine,  and  said:  "Well,  captain,  your  men  are 
welcome  to  take  the  property.  We  won't  have  any  trouble  over 
it."  Splaine's  men  at  once  began  to  remove  the  property  in  dis 
pute,  and  before  they  had  fully  finished  the  work,  some  of  Gra 
ham's  men  were  helping  them  to  move  the  little  houses  up  the  hill. 

In  regard  to  Graham,  it  may  be  said  that  for  nearly  two  years 
he  had  bullied  nearly  every  officer  who  had  in  any  way  antagonized 
him,  and  on  more  than  one  occasion  had  blackened  the  eyes  of  some 
of  those  who  had  opposed  him,  in  argument  or  controversy  over 
cards.  He  was  known  to  have  pummeled  one  officer  of  high 
rank  so  thoroughly  that  that  gentleman  was  off  duty  many  days. 
But  when  he  undertook  to  ride  roughshod  over  the  commander  of 
the  New  Seventeenth,  he  found  a  man  who  feared  neither  his  fists 
nor  his  bullets.  After  the  altercation  here  described,  Graham  be 
haved  quite  well,  and  things  went  along  quite  smoothly  at  Newport 
Barracks  afterwards. 


AT  NEWPORT  BARRACKS. 

The  new  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers  settled  down 
to  business  at  Newport  Barracks.  Our  organization  was  a  batta 
lion  of  four  companies — A,  B,  and  C  being  full  to  the  maximum, 
while  Company  D,  was,  for  the  present,  a  mere  squad.  Recruits 
soon  began  to  arrive,  making  Company  D  begin  to  look  like  a  real 
company.  Companies  A  and  B  were  made  up  of  veteran  volun- 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  233 

teers,  while  Company  C  was  partly  veteran  and  partty  men  who 
had  enlisted  for  two  years. 

The  battalion  commander  was  busy  for  a  few  days  visiting 
the  many  outposts  to  be  guarded,  and  making  proper  distribution 
of  his  men,  to  secure  the  safety  of  the  post.  These  posts  had  to  be 
visited  each  day  and  night  by  the  officer  of  the  day,  and  two  or 
three  times  a  week  by  the  post  commander.  The  front  to  be 
guarded  was  about  fourteen  miles,  requiring  quite  a  number  of 
men  on  duty  at  all  times,  and  the  active  vigilance  of  the  officers  of 
the  command.  The  companies  were  drilled  regularly,  and  kept 
toned  up  to  a  high  pitch  of  excellence.  The  company  quarters 
were  neatly  kept,  and  the  welfare  of  the  men,  with  regard  to  com 
fortable  quarters,  healthful  surroundings  and  proper  supplies  was 
at  all  times  properly  looked  after  by  their  officers. 

It  would  have  been  hard  at  that  time  to  find  a  small  command 
like  ours  in  such  a  high  state  of  efficiency  and  contentment.  All 
of  the  officers  and  a  great  majority  of  the  men  were  veterans;  all 
knew  their  duties  and  performed  them. 


GENERAL  PALMER  FEARED  ATTACK. 

The  new  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  had  hardly  settled  down 
at  Newport  Barracks  and  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  various 
commands  there  before  it  looked  like  active  campaigning  once 
more.  On  July  31,  1864,  Captain  Splaine,  commanding  the  post, 
received  a  telegraphic  dispatch  from  General  Palmer,  in  command 
of  the  District  of  North  Carolina,  that  General  Ransom  of  the  Con 
federate  Army,  was  going  to  attack  Newport  Barracks  as  part  of 
a  general  movement  against  Newbern  and  other  stations  held  by 
Union  troops  in  the  State  and  ordered  the  captain  to  hold  his  com 
mand  of  700  men,  infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery  ready  to  evacuate 
his  position.  The  captain  at  once  asked  for  an  interview  with  the 
general,  which  was  granted.  At  this  interview  he  tried  to  convince 
the  general  that  with  proper  preparations  he  could  hold  his  position 
against  three  times  his  numbers,  and  urged  that,  with  Fort  Ripley 


234  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

as  a  pivot  of  operations,  new  lines  of  defence  could  be  promptly 
established  in  such  a  manner  as  to  protect  his  supply  of  fresh  water 
for  his  command.  The  general,  however,  would  not  listen  to  any 
suggestions,  and  peremptorily  ordered  Splaine  to  carry  out  his 
original  instructions. 

Hardly  had  the  captain  returned  from  his  interview  when  he 
received  a  confidential  letter  from  Colonel  Amory,  commanding 
the  sub-district  of  Beaufort,  advising  him  that  there  was  danger  of 
an  attack  on  Newport,  and  that  he  should  be  on  the  alert  every 
minute.  Then  it  was  watch  and  wait,  day  after  day  and  night 
after  night — waiting  for  information  and  watching  for  the  enemy. 
The  officers  were  all  tired  out  from  such  duty  as  patrolling  the 
roads,  visiting  the  pickets  and  detachments,  some  of  whom  were 
stationed  miles  away.  At  last  the  air  cleared,  and  it  was  found 
that  although  the  general  movement  reported  as  being  in  progress, 
on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  had  actually  been  prepared  and  was  about 
to  be  launched  upon  the  various  posts,  something  had  happened  to 
stop  the  whole  proceeding.  It  was  surmised  at  the  time  that  the 
enemy's  troops  had  probably  been  sent  where  they  were  more 
imperatively  needed. 

After  the  Ransom  scare,  the  command  at  Newport  Barracks 
settled  down  to  their  ordinary  military  work — company  drills, 
guard  mounting  and  outpost  duty  taking  up  the  time  of  all.  About 
this  time  a  number  of  recruits  for  the  Seventeenth  arrived  from 
Massachusetts,  and  the  fourth  company,  which  had  heretofore, 
been  little  more  than  a  squad,  now  seemed  to  acquire  the  propor 
tions  of  a  good,  smart-looking  company. 

About  this  time,  the  officers  of  the  regiment,  feeling  that  the 
re-enlisted  men  had  not  been  fairly  treated,  again  made  applica 
tion  to  the  general  commanding  for  the  furlough  for  forty  days, 
wrhich  the  law  had  provided  for  all  men  wrho  had  re-enlisted  in  the 
field.  While  awaiting  the  general's  reply,  the  command  was  busy 
chasing  some  Confederates  who  had  torn  up  the  railroad  tracks 
between  Newport  Barracks  and  Newbern. 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  235 

CHASE  OF  NICKERSON,  THE  REBEL  SCOUT. 

Personal  daring  and  adventure  were  of  frequent  happening 
among  the  men  of  the  Union  Army  during  the  Civil  War,  and  per 
haps  in  no  section  of  the  South  occupied  by  them  were  these  quali 
ties  more  conspicuous  than  in  the  Department  of  North  Carolina, 
where  the  duties  of  a  soldier  were  often  of  a  desultory  nature, 
affording  opportunity  for  adventure  in  the  interims  of  active  work. 

During  the  month  of  August,  1864,  the  reorganized  Seven 
teenth  Massachusetts  Regiment  was  then  stationed  at  Newport 
Barracks  (Shepardsville),  N.  C.,  and  everything  being  rather  quiet 
Captain  Henry  Splaine,  at  that  time  in  command  of  the  battalion 
of  veterans  and  other  bodies  of  troops  at  that  station,  went  on  an 
expedition  with  a  force  of  fifty  cavalry,  under  Capt.  George  W. 
Graham,  and  accompanied  by  Captain  Atwill,  to  Young's  Cross 
Roads,  forty-six  miles  distant,  for  the  purpose  of  attacking,  and 
perhaps  capturing  a  force  of  Confederate  cavalry  known  to  be 
stationed  not  far  from  the  Cross  Roads. 

The  command  started  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  proceeded 
about  thirty  miles  before  camping  for  the  night.  They  stabled 
their  horses  in  an  abandoned  church,  with  a  few  men  to  look  after 
them,  and  with  the  rest  of  the  men  chose  a  good  defensive  position, 
and,  after  posting  a  few  pickets,  laid  down  to  rest.  The  night 
passed  quietly,  and  early  in  the  morning  the  party  pushed  on  to  the 
Cross  Roads. 

They  had  no  sooner  turned  into  the  square  than  Nickerson, 
the  noted  rebel  scout,  was  encountered.  No  shots  were  then  fired, 
but  the  command,  without  waiting  for  orders,  rushed  towards 
Nickerson.  The  daring  scout  refused  to  surrender,  and  turning 
his  horse's  head,  made  a  bold  attempt  to  escape.  Captain  Splaine 
mounted  on  a  splendid  horse,  and  in  the  lead,  shouted  the  com 
mand:  " Leave  him  to  me!"  at  which  order  Captain  Graham 
brought  his  men  down  to  a  slow  gallop,  and  witnessed  the  running 
duel  between  Splaine  and  the  fleeing  scout. 

The  pursuer  gained  on  the  rebel,  and  Nickerson,  finding  that 
he  was  being  overhauled,  turned  in  his  saddle  and  fired,  but  missed 
his  man.  Now,  Splaine,  aiming  between  his  horse's  ears,  let  go 


236  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

at  the  scout.  His  fire  was  quickly  returned,  the  bullet,  like  the  first 
one,  whizzing  by  Splaine 's  left  ear.  The  latter  fired  a  second  shot, 
and  the  scout  a  third,  with  no  better  result,  and  finding  his  pursuer 
gaining  on  him,  he  threw  his  left  leg  over  his  horse 's  neck  and  made 
good  his  escape. 

Nickerson's  horse,  finding  himself  riderless,  slackened  his 
speed,  as  did  Splaine  's  also,  and  the  latter  now  secured  the  horse 
and  led  him  back  to  the  command  that  had  been  slowly  following 
him  during  the  chase.  When  the  captain  rejoined  his  men,  the 
entire  party  of  forty-six  rose  in  their  stirrups  and  gave  him  three 
cheers. 

Splaine  had  a  joke  on  himself  at  the  time,  but  kept  it  concealed 
just  then.  It  appears  that  the  horse  ridden  by  him  was  a  very 
powerful  and  fast  one,  and  in  the  chase  had  actually  run  away 
with  him,  despite  all  his  endeavors  to  control  him.  Of  course, 
the  captain  was  willing  to  try  conclusions  with  Nickerson,  but  he 
was  not  a  bit  willing  to  be  galloped  into  ambush  or  mayhap  the 
enemy's  camp.  The  slackening  of  Nickerson's  horse  saved  him. 
The  horse  of  the  scout  was  slightly  wounded,  proving  that  the 
captain's  shot  was  a  good  line  one. 

The  command  now  faced  about  and  soon  afterwards  crossed 
the  White  Oak  River,  at  a  point  where  the  bridge  had  been  burned 
down  some  time  before.  They  had  just  reached  the  high  land 
across  the  river,  when  they  saw  a  man  mounted  on  a  white  horse 
going  rapidly  towards  the  rebel  camp,  probably  to  notify  them  that 
the  Yanks  were  coming.  Splaine  always  believed  that  the  man 
on  the  white  horse  was  Nickerson,  who,  after  escaping  through  the 
swamp,  had  secured  a  fresh  mount,  and  was  making  his  way  to  his 
comrades,  who  were  in  camp  some  two  miles  beyond  the  Cross 
Roads. 

After  Splaine 's  command  had  gone  about  three-quarters  of  a 
mile,  they  espied  three  mounted  men  coming  towards  them,  who 
had  evidently  been  sent  out  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  firing 
which  had  occurred  in  the  chase.  Graham  drew  his  men  into  the 
woods,  saying:  "We  will  fire  on  them  when  they  come  up.' '  Splaine 
shouted:  "No,  that  would  be  murder!"  and  added:  "Let  us  three 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  237 

officers  dismount,  and  take  the  three  fellows  when  they  come  up, 
and  give  them  a  fair  fight.' ' 

The  three  officers  dismounted,  crossed  the  road,  and  took  up  a 
position  nearly  opposite  that  of  the  company,  where  they  waited 
the  coming  of  the  three  Confederates.  As  they  approached, 
Sergeant  Perkins  in  command,  said  to  his  comrades:  "Say,  fellows, 
what  if  the  Yanks  are  in  the  woods?' '  At  that  moment  the  three 
officers  rose  up  and  demanded  surrender.  Sergeant  Perkins  aimed 
and  fired  at  Captain  Splaine,  but  missed  him.  His  carbine  was 
now  empty,  and  Splaine  covered  him  with  his  six-shooter,  ordering : 
"Throw  up  your  hands,  or  I'll  bore  a  hole  through  you."  Seeing 
that  he  was  slow  in  coming  to  time,  the  captain  shot  the  tall, 
sugar-loaf  hat  off  the  sergeant,  to  remind  him  of  what  was  coming 
if  he  didn't  surrender.  The  sergeant  then  quickly  dismounted 
and  surrendered. 

In  the  meantime,  Captain  Graham  and  Atwill  were  having 
conclusions  with  their  men,  who  absolutely  refused  to  surrender 
and  dashed  away  to  freedom.  Graham  jumped  into  the  saddle  of 
Perkins  and  gave  chase.  Splaine,  taking  charge  of  the  cavalry, 
ordered  three  men  to  look  after  the  prisoner  and  the  horses  of 
Graham  and  Xickerson,  and  started  after  Graham  and  the  "rebs/ ' 
who  were  riding  for  their  lives  in  advance  of  them.  Shortly  after 
this,  Graham  saw  something  which  frightened  him,  and  wheeling 
about  shouted :  "Get  out  of  here!  They  have  fixed  a  trap  for  us!" 
"What  is  it?"  demanded  Splaine,  "for  if  they  don't  greatly  out 
number  us,  we  will  give  them  a  hot  battle."  Graham  explained 
that  the  enemy  was  strong,  and  had  arranged  a  pitfall  into  which 
the  Union  horses  would  fall  if  the  pursuit  was  continued. 

Graham  now  insisted  upon  retiring  by  a  ford  across  the  river 
close  to  where  the  command  then  was,  but  the  captured  sergeant 
assured  the  officers  that  the  ford  was  then  impassable,  owing  to 
recent  rains,  which  had  swelled  the  river.  Graham  tried  it,  how 
ever,  and  found  that  the  sergeant  had  told  the  truth.  Graham, 
then,  anxious  to  learn  the  strength  of  the  Confederates  asked  the 
sergeant  how  many  men  he  had  up  there,  to  which  the  latter  re 
plied:  "I  reckon  there  are  about  twenty-five."  Graham  told  the 
man  he  was  lying,  and  if  he  wouldn't  tell  him  the  truth  he  would 


238  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

blow  his  head  off.  Graham  meant  it.  The  prisoner  did  something 
and  said  something,  which  aroused  the  pity  of  Splaine,  who  spurred 
his  horse  between  the  two  men,  saying :  "  Graham,  I  command  here, 
and  as  an  honorable  man  I  must  protect  my  prisoner."  Graham 

scowled  and  said:  "Would  you  take  the  part  of  a  d— d  rebel?' ' 

To  which  Splaine  made  answer  that  while  he  would  not  yield  the 
palm  to  any  man  on  earth  in  the  matter  of  loyalty  to  the  Union 
cause,  he  would  not  allow  any  man  to  murder  a  defenceless  prisoner. 
He  added:  "If  you  are  thirsting  for  honorable  battle,  follow  me, 
and  I  will  lead  the  command  against  the  Johnnies  up  yonder." 

After  a  while  Graham  cooled  down,  and  then  the  whole  com 
mand  recrossed  the  White  Oak  River  and  took  up  the  march  for 
camp,  calling,  however,  at  the  opposite  side  of  the  ford,  where 
Graham  had  stationed  a  sergeant  and  five  men  earlier  in  the  day  to 
guard  against  any  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  cross  the  ford  in  the 
rear  of  the  command.  Upon  reaching  the  ford  it  was  found  that 
the  guard  had  disappeared,  and  the  officers  were  puzzled  as  to 
whether  they  had  not  fallen  into  the  enemy's  hands  or  had  made 
their  way  to  the  home  camp. 

The  facts  were,  that  the  guard,  hearing  the  firing  and  seeing 
nothing  of  their  friends,  became  alarmed,  and  believing  that  the 
whole  command  had  been  captured,  made  their  way  as  fast  as  they 
could  and  gave  the  alarm  in  camp. 

When  the  three  officers,  with  the  cavalry,  arrived  in  camp 
that  night,  they  found  the  place  in  an  uproar.  Capt.  W.  W.  Smith, 
in  command  during  Captain  Splaine 's  absence,  had  150  veterans 
in  line,  and  was  about  to  march  to  the  rescue  of  the  missing  troop 
and  officers.  When  the  command  reached  camp  the  "vets"  were 
returned  to  their  quarters  and  thanked  for  their  willingness  to  help 
their  comrades.  The  prisoner,  Sergeant  Perkins,  was  a  member  of 
the  Sixth  Georgia  Cavalry,  or  First  Confederate  Regulars.  He  was 
a  good,  respectable  fellow,  and  was  treated  well  by  Captain  Splaine 
and  went  away  to  prison  the  next  day. 

Captain  Splaine  though  tired  after  his  ride  of  ninety-four 
miles,  fearing  that  the  enemy  might  follow  and  make  trouble  for 
his  pickets,  secured  a  fresh  horse  and  visited  the  outposts  of  his 
command,  which  required  a  ride  of  twelve  miles.  He  told  the 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  239 

guards  what  had  happened  during  the  day,  and  cautioned  them  not 
to  be  caught  napping.  He  had  ridden  106  miles  in  thirty  hours, 
and  taking  out  eight  hours  for  sleep  and  time  to  eat,  was  in  the 
saddle  by  actual  count  twenty-two  hours.  During  the  day  he  had 
had  two  single-handed  encounters,  capturing  Sergeant  Perkins  and 
horse,  and  the  horse  of  Nickerson. 

Captain  Atwill  was  a  brave  and  gentlemanly  fellow,  and 
afterwards  became  colonel  of  an  infantry  regiment.  Graham  was  a 
brave,  but  a  bad  man.  He  wouldn't  halt  at  murder.  He  never 
halted  at  robbery.  He  was  a  scourge  to  the  poor  people  inhabit 
ing  the  netural  zone.  Wherever  he  went  with  his  command,  if 
not  accompanied  by  a  superior  officer  or  some  other  command,  he 
robbed  and  pillaged  and  sometimes  committed  arson,  or  perhaps 
even  a  worse  crime.  It  is  true  that  he  was  brave  and  did  some 
good  fighting,  and  his  success  enabled  him  to  deceive  the  command 
ing  general,  who  gave  him  carte-blanche  to  go  about  wherever 
he  wanted  to,  not  knowing,  however,  that  he  was  a  ravening  wolf 
in  sheep's  clothing,  and  that  wherever  he  went  as  a  lone  and 
independent  command,  he  left  a  trail  of  misery  and  desolation 
behind  him.  He  finally  received  his  deserts,  however,  for  he  met 
a  most  miserable  and  dishonorable  death. 

It  appears  that,  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  Graham 
was  commissioned  a  captain  of  cavalry  in  the  regular  army,  and 
later  on  was  promoted  to  major.  Up  to  his  old  tricks,  he  sold 
government  horses  and  sold  them  as  his  own  property.  After  a 
time,  he  was  detected,  courtmartialed  and  'sent  to  prison.  He 
was  to  marry  an  estimable  lady  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which 
he  was  arrested.  The  marriage  never  took  place. 

Some  time  afterwards  he  made  his  escape,  and  raised  a  small 
band  of  robbers  who  stopped  at  nothing.  Among  their  daring 
crimes  was  the  robbery  of  an  army  paymaster  on  his  way  to  pay 
off  some  troops.  The  Graham  gang  wounded  some  of  the  guards 
and  drove  the  others  away,  then  robbed  the  paymaster,  after 
wounding  him,  of  all  the  money  he  had.  This  was  in  the  western 
country.  Soon  after  this,  Graham  organized  a  large  body  of 
desperadoes,  attacked  a  mining  camp,  drove  the  miners  out,  and 
then  worked  the  mine  for  himself  and  companions.  The  ownesr 


240  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

made  their  case  known  to  the  authorities  in  that  region,  who,  in  a 
short  time,  raised  a  large  posse  and  went  for  Graham  and  his  gang. 
The  commander  placed  a  large  body  of  men  in  ambush  on  the  only 
road  over  which  Graham  could  retreat,  and  with  the  main  body 
of  his  forces  attacked  the  desperadoes.  Both  sides  lost  men  in  the 
fight,  but  the  Graham  party  was  routed.  Graham  and  his  surviv 
ing  men  took  to  the  only  road  open  to  them  and  rushed  along  it, 
hoping  to  escape;  but  the  men  in  ambush  opened  fire  on  them, 
Graham  among  others  being  killed,  several  bullets  having  entered 
his  body.  Others  of  his  gang  were  killed  or  wounded  and  only 
a  few  of  the  party  effected  their  escape. 

Graham  was  given  many  credit  marks  for  acts  of  bravery 
during  the  Civil  War,  but  there  was  one  given  him  which  he 
did  not  deserve.  At  the  battle  of  Goldsboro,  General  Foster 
desired  that  the  railroad  bridge  across  the  Neuse  River  should 
be  burned,  and  detailed  Captain  Graham  for  the  task.  Graham 
made  the  attempt,  and,  although  wearing  the  uniform  of  a  Con 
federate  officer,  failed  to  burn  the  bridge.  He  ran  down  the  track 
towards  the  bridge,  with  the  portfire  in  his  hands,  to  set  it  on  fire, 
but  the  rebel  fire  was  so  hot  that  he  soon  returned  pell-mell,  and 
jumped  behind  a  log  lying  beside  the  track,  saying  the  place  was 
too  hot,  and  it  was  no  use  to  try  it,  as  it  could  not  be  done. 

Following  this  failure,  Colonel  Fellows  of  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  Regiment,  received  an  order  to  destroy  the  bridge. 
He  detailed  Barnabas  N.  Mann  to  take  volunteers  from  the  regi 
ment  to  do  the  work.  When  a  call  for  volunteers  for  this  work 
was  made,  there  was  no  lack  of  response.  Selecting  his  men,  the 
lieutenant  went  to  the  bridge,  set  fire  to  it,  and  while  returning  to 
the  regiment,  was  shot  in  the  abdomen. 

The  truth  of  this  statement  was  often  vouched  for  by  Colonel 
Fellows  and  other  officers  of  the  regiment,  and  is  now  confirmed 
by  Colonel  Henry  Splaine,  who  commanded  Company  A  at  the 
battle  of  Goldsboro,  and  who  witnessed  the  whole  affair  from  first 
to  last.  Lieutenant  Mann  recovered  from  his  wound,  if  it  could 
be  called  a  recovery,  for  he  never  was  a  well  man  after,  and  in  a 
few  years  died  from  the  effects  of  that  injury  received  while  per- 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  241 

forming  the  heroic  feat  for  which  the  credit  was  claimed  by  another 
— Graham. 

Even  at  this  late  day,  Colonel  Splaine  names  the  two  men 
from  his  company  who,  with  other  volunteers,  accompanied 
Lieutenant  Mann  and  fired  the  bridge.  These  men  of  Company 
A,  were  Willard  Edmandsof  Saugus  and  Lewis  F.  Besse  of  Chelsea. 


CAPTURE  OF  A  CONFEDERATE  OFFICER. 

Still  tiring  of  inactivity  at  Newport  Barracks,  Captain  Splaine 
determined  to  make  a  trip  to  the  enemy's  territory  across  Pamlico 
Sound.  For  this  purpose  he  took  with  him  Captain  Graham  and 
ten  picked  men  of  the  latter's  command  (loyal  North  Carolinas). 
All  were  well  mounted  and  armed  to  the  teeth.  They  left  the  camp 
just  before  sundown,  August  24,  1864.  After  a  ride  of  ten  miles 
they  met  the  first  excitement  of  the  expedition.  They  entered  a 
gorge  or  gully,  the  descent  into  which  was  deep  on  both  sides. 
As  they  were  about  to  make  the  ascent  from  it,  they  were  startled 
by  a  wierd  sight;  it  looked  as  though  a  command  of  giants  had 
suddenly  sprung  from  the  soil,  and  with  huge  and  dangerous 
looking  implements  of  war,  perhaps  to  wipe  out  of  existence  any 
Yankee  force  that  might  be  encountered.  If  Captain  Splaine's 
command  had  been  superstitious,  they  could  not  be  blamed  if 
they  ran  away.  Instead,  the  order  was:  "Halt,  Ready!' '  and  then 
the  commander  dashed  forward,  and  cried/' Halt!  Who  goes  there?' 
An  answer  came  back:  "It  is  us,  Massa.  Who  is  yous?' '  "Stand! 
Advance  one,  and  be  recognized!"  The  leader  came  forward  and 
explained  that  he  and  his  companions  were  a  party  of  colored  men 
riding  home  from  a  farm,  which  they  were  working  on  shares. 
They  were  mounted  on  mules,  and  what,  in  the  atmospheric 
mirage,  which  made  giants  of  the  riders  and  mules,  look  like 
terrible  weapons  of  destruction,  were  really  only  longhandled  hoes, 
spades,  forks,  etc.  To  the  little  force  in  the  gully,  the  peaceable 
darkeys  presented  a  truly  formidable  appearance.  It  was  a 
dark  place,  and  almost  entirely  covered  by  tall  trees.  The  soldiers 
now  stood  aside  and  let  the  cavalcade  march  by. 


242  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

After  this  experience,  the  command  proceeded  about  ten 
miles  and  went  into  camp  for  the  night,  one  man  being  placed  on 
guard,with  orders  to  awake  a  certain  man  in  one  hour  and  put  him 
on  guard,  and  to  so  change  guards  until  morning.  The  party 
moved  forward  quite  early,  reaching  South  River  in  good  time, 
where  they  found  a  scow  on  which  they  crossed  over.  Here  they 
found  some  colored  people  whom  they  could  trust,  and  placing 
their  horses  in  charge  of  their  new  friends,  they  proceeded  further 
on.  They  soon  found  a  serviceable  sloop  of  about  thirty  tons, 
commanded  by  its  owner,  assisted  by  a  negro  sailing  master,  who 
was  a  competent  mariner. 

In  this  sloop  the  party  crossed  Pamlico  Sound,  landing  at 
Smith's  Creek  the  following  forenoon.  They  found  the  negro 
sailing  master  to  be  loyal,  but  would  not  trust  the  owner.  During 
the  sail  across  the  Sound,  they  found  an  opportunity  to  talk 
to  the  sailing  master,  who  promised  loyalty  and  obedience.  When 
about  to  leave  the  sloop  at  Smith's  Creek  to  go  a  short  distance 
inland,  Captain  Splaine  gave  the  negro  a  spare  pistol,  with  orders, 
"If  the  owner  of  this  sloop  attempts  to  sail  away,  leaving  us  at  the 
mercy  of  the  enemy,  it  will  be  your  duty  to  overpower  him  and 
hold  the  boat  for  us." 

On  landing,  the  party  found  themselves  at  the  door  of  a  fine 
mansion.  As  they  were  about  to  ask  for  a  drink  of  water,  a  stately 
woman  came  forward  and  asked  if  there  was  a  commissioned  officer 
in  the  party.  Upon  being  answered  that  there  were  two,  she 
demanded  their  protection.  Captain  Splaine  assured  her  that  no 
harm  would  come  to  her,  her  family  or  her  property,  and  remarked 
as  a  bit  of  strategy,  that  his  command  was  only  the  advance  guard 
of  a  large  body  of  men  whom  he  expected  along  soon. 

The  party  now  moved  rapidly  forward,  and  halted  at  a  farm 
house  to  rest,  and  where  they  ate  some  watermelons.  The  only 
occupant  at  the  time  was  Miss  Betsey,  wrho  was  very  communi 
cative  and  of  an  inquiring  mind.  She  didn't  get  much  information 
from  any  of  the  party,  however. 

The  men  had  purchased  some  nice  watermelons  of  Miss 
Betsey  and  had  seated  themselves  in  the  yard  to  eat  them, 
Graham  and  his  men  seating  themselves  in  the  shade  of  a  high 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  243 

board  fence.  Captain  Splaine,  however,  always  on  the  lookout 
against  trouble,  seated  himself  on  the  steps  of  the  front  door,  in 
the  glowing  sun,  but  from  which  position  he  had  a  full  view  of 
all  approaches  to  the  house. 

They  had  not  been  long  seated  when  Splaine  discovered  some 
one  approaching.  The  newcomer  proved  to  be  a  handsome 
Confederate  officer,  well  mounted.  He  rode  slowly  to  the  gate 
at  the  highway  end  of  a  private  road  leading  up  to  the  house, 
stooped  from  his  saddle,  unlatched  the  gate,  rode  in  and  latched 
it  again.  He  then  rode  slowly  up  to  the  gate  in  the  high  board 
fence,  and  as  his  horse  poked  its  nose  over  the  fence,  he  shouted, 
"O  Betsey!  Open  the  gate!"  From  the  first,  Captain  Splaine 
had  watched  the  movements  of  the  newcomer.  He  saw  that  he 
had  locked  himself  in,  as  all  the  fences  were  too  high  for  his  horse 
to  jump. 

Just  before  the  Confederate  officer  and  reached  the  gate  to 
the  yard,  Splaine  signaled  to  his  companions  to  keep  still,  and 
drawing  his  pistol,  reached  the  interior  gate  at  the  same  moment 
that  the  call  to  Betsey  was  made.  Splaine  and  the  newcomer 
reached  the  gate  at  the  same  time,  the  former  saying  to  the 
Confederate:  "My  prisoner.  Pass  me  that  pistol,  butt  foremost; 
and  be  very  careful  how  you  do  it;  for  if  you  attempt  any  funny 
business,  I  will  blow  your  head  off.' ' 

The  Confederate  officer  was  a  handsome  and  dignified  gentle 
man,  but  did  not  like  to  surrender  his  pistol.  Evidently 
believing  his  would-be  captor  was  alone,  and  thinking  that  sur 
render  under  such  circumstances  would  be  disgraceful,  he  hesitated 
and  fumbled  with  his  weapon,  hoping  to  finally  get  the  drop  on  his 
adversary,  and  make  him  the  prisoner  or  kill  him. 

All  this  time  Splaine  didn't  blink  an  eye,  but  kept  a  steady 
gaze  on  the  Confederate.  Finally  becoming  impatient  at  the 
dilatory  tactics  of  the  latter,  he  commanded  an  immediate  surrender 
of  the  pistol  or  he  would  fire.  Becoming  satisfied  that  further 
delay  was  useless,  the  Confederate  surrendered  his  pistol,  butt 
foremost.  Upon  receiving  the  surrender  of  the  officer,  Captain 
Splaine  ordered  Graham's  men  to  open  the  gate,  and  take  possession 
of  rider  and  horse. 


244  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

When  the  prisoner  dismounted  and  surveyed  his  captor,  he 
said,  "Are  you  not  Captain  Splaine?"  The  latter  gave  an  affir 
mative  answer,  and  in  turn  inquired:  "How  do  you  know  me,  sir?' ' 
The  prisoner  answered  "I  saw  you  at  my  father's  house  when  I 
was  last  home  on  leave  of  absence."  "Where  does  you  father  live, 
and  what  is  his  name?"  "He  resides  near  your  camp  at  New 
port  Barracks,  and  his  name  is  Jabez  Bell,' '  the  prisoner  answered. 
"Then  you  are  Captain  George  Bell?"  said  Captain  Splaine. 
The  prisoner  said  he  was,  and  added  that  when  at  home  the  last 
time  he  had  spared  his  captor's  life.  Being  asked  how  it  happened, 
Bell  explained  the  matter.  He  said,  "You  rode  out  to  my  father's 
house  one  day,  dismounted,  and  after  securing  your  horse,  seated 
yourself  near  my  father  on  the  piazza.  As  I  saw  you  coming,  I 
ran  into  the  barn,  where  I  found  a  loaded  musket,  which  I  aimed 
at  you."  "Why  didn't  you  fire,  George?"  said  Splaine.  "I 
thought  it  would  be  murder,  and  desisted." 

At  this,  Splaine  said:  "Well,  Captain  Bell,  one  good  turn 
deserves  another,  and  on  our  way  back  to  Newport  Barracks,  we 
will  stop  at  your  father's  house,  have  dinner  there,  give  you  an  op 
portunity  to  meet  your  father,  mother,  and  your  sisters  Alice  and 
Susie.  We  will  make  a  long  stop  there,  to  give  you  an  opportunity 
to  talk  all  you  want  to  with  your  folks;  but  remember  that  I  won't 
let  you  go  into  that  barn."  Captain  Bell  and  Graham  and  his 
men  laughed  heartily  at  this  sally. 

When  Captain  Bell  arrived  at  that  interior  gate  and  called  on 
Betsey  to  open  it,  he  received  no  response.  Instead  of  answering 
his  summons,  she  was  running  as  fast  as  her  dainty  feet  could  carry 
her,  across  the  country  to  notify  Captain  Bell's  men  of  his  capture. 
Captain  Splaine,  noting  her  movement,  said  to  Graham:  "Let 
us  get  out  of  this  cage,  and  take  up  a  position  nearer  our  boat.' ' 

Splaine  walked  with  Bell  and  treated  him  kindly,  but  at  the 
same  time  was  drawing  from  him  all  the  information  he  could.  He 
gathered  from  him  that  his  command  was  collecting  supplies  for 
General  Lee's  army  and  shipping  the  stores  northward  as  rapidly 
as  possible.  Splaine  finally  said:  "On  your  honor,  captain,  how 
many  men  have  you  over  yonder?' '  Bell  said  he  had  twenty-five 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  245 

men,  well  mounted  and  armed  with  carbines.  "Have  they  any 
pistols,  captain?' '  asked  Splaine. —  "  No  pistols/' '  was  the  reply. 

Having  reached  the  cross-roads,  Splaine  now  said  to  Gra 
ham:  "  There  are  twenty-five  of  them  armed  with  carbines. 
There  are  twelve  of  us  armed  with  revolvers.  We  will  give  them 
battle  if  they  follow  us."  A  proper  disposition  was  now  made 
the  little  band;  but  after  waiting  a  whole  hour  and  finding  no  enemy 
in  sight,  the  party  marched  to  the  landing,  where  they  found  their 
negro  sailor  and  his  master  awaiting  their  return.  The  party  tried 
to  hoist  Captain  Bell's  horse  into  the  sloop,  but,  failing  in  this, 
made  a  present  of  the  animal  to  Mrs.  Smith,  for  whose  family  the 
creek  had  been  named. 

The  party  set  sail,  recrossed  Pamlico  Sound,  reaching  South 
River  next  morning.  Captain  Splaine  noticed  that  Captain  Bell 
had  his  pockets  well  filled  with  some  substance,  and  ordered  him  to 
show  what  he  had  in  them.  He  had  many  letters  from  officers 
and  men  in  Lee's  army  to  their  folks  in  the  country  where  Bell  and 
his  men  were  collecting  supplies.  Of  course,  Splaine  took  posses 
sion  of  them,  and  when  opportunity  offered  read  them  all.  While 
the  letters  contained  no  information  as  to  army  movements,  many 
of  them  were  interesting  reading,  as  showing  the  straits  to  which 
even  Lee's  army  was  driven  in  the  matter  of  supplies,  to  say  nothing 
about  comforts  and  luxuries. 

The  party  landed  near  a  poor-looking  farmhouse,  and  inquired 
of  the  woman  if  she  would  kindly  prepare  breakfast  for  them,  and 
they  would  pay  her  well  for  her  trouble.  She  made  answer  that 
she  had  nothing  more  than  she  and  her  children  needed.  Captain 
Splaine's  party  produced  bacon  and  coffee,  and  asked  the  woman 
to  cook  the  bacon  and  fry  some  eggs,  which  she  did. 

While  breakfast  was  cooking,  Splaine  was  reading  the  letters 
he  had  taken  from  Bell.  Among  them,  curiously  enough,  he 
found  one  from  the  husband  of  their  hostess,  addressed  to  her. 
The  letter  was  full  of  love,  loyalty  and  sympathy  for  his  family. 
He  was  sorry  to  know  how  poor  they  were,  but  he  hoped  for  better 
times.  He  told  how  poorly  Lee's  army  was  provided  for — with 
little  coffee  or  sugar;  but  that  the  little  he  was  getting,  he  was  saving 
for  his  wife,  and  would  bring  it  home  soon,  as  he  expected  to  get  a 


246  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

furlough.  He  referred  most  tenderly  to  his  wife's  physical  condi 
tion,  and  hoped  to  be  home  to  help  her  through  her  trouble. 

After  breakfast,  Captain  Splaine  told  his  hostess  that  he  had 
a  letter  for  her  from  her  husband.  She  was  startled  and  alarmed, 
fearing  that  her  guest  intended  harm  because  her  husband  was  a 
Confederate  soldier.  But  the  captain  spoke  kindly  to  her,  when 
she  felt  reassured  and  became  calm.  She  read  the  letter,  and  then 
calling  her  little  ones  around  her,  read  their  father's  letter  to  them. 
They  all  wept,  and  thanked  Captain  Splaine  for  the  letter. 

The  captain  paid  her  more  than  well  for  the  meal,  and  then 
turned  over  to  her  all  the  supplies  his  party  had  with  them.  The 
party  now  re-crossed  South  River  on  the  same  old  scow,  resumed 
their  march,  and  when  night  came,  took  shelter  in  a  block-house 
occupied  by  a  negro  family,  consisting  of  father  and  mother  and 
six  children.  They  all  bunked  together  on  the  floor,  under  the 
only  window  in  the  building.  Splaine  and  Graham  secreted  their 
pistols,  laid  down  on  the  middle  of  the  floor,  had  the  prisoner  lie 
between  them,  and  cautioned  him  that  if  he  attempted  to  escape 
from  the  building  the  guards  outside  would  shoot  him  down. 

There  were,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  no  guards  outside  or  inside. 
The  party  had  gone  for  two  days  and  two  nights  without  sleep, 
and  in  that  warm  August  weather  it  was  hard  to  resist  the  temp 
tation  to  sleep.  Some  time  during  the  night,  Bell,  finding  the  two 
officers  sound  asleep,  got  up  from  between  them,  reached  the 
window,  threatening  the  negroes  with  death  if  they  uttered  a  cry, 
placed  his  hands  on  the  window-sill,  and  plunged  head  first  through 
the  window.  He  escaped. 

The  sleeping  captains  were  awakened  by  the  breaking  of  the 
window  and  the  cries  of  the  colored  people.  It  was  too  late,  how 
ever.  The  bird  had  flown.  The  officers  went  out,  found  their 
men  sound  asleep  and  made  up  their  minds  that  pursuit  was  use 
less.  They  returned  to  the  block-house,  taking  their  men  with 
them,  and  finished  their  much-needed  sleep. 

After  a  breakfast  of  hog  and  hominy, — which  was  paid  for,— 
an  early  start  was  made  the  next  morning.  At  noontime,  after  a 
lively  ride,  they  reached  the  home  of  Captain  Bell's  people,  where 
they  were  served  with  dinner.  During  the  meal,  Captain  Splaine 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  247 

told  the  family  of  his  adventure  with  Captain  Bell,  but  before  he 
could  finish  the  relation,  Miss  Alice  cried  out:  " Where  is  my 
brother?  Have  you  murdered  him?"  Splaine  replied:  "Oh, 
no !  Americans  don't  murder.  They  fight,  as  true  soldiers  should. 
We  captured  your  brother  and  brought  him  across  Pamlico  Sound, 
and  we  intended  to  bring  him  here  to  see  you  all,  but  while  we  were 
sound  asleep  he  made  his  escape.' ' 

At  this,  Alice  clapped  her  hands  gleefully,  and  said:  "I'm 
so  glad!  I'm  so  glad!"  At  this  Splaine  said,  jokingly:  "You 
little  rebel,"  Alice  replied:  "Call  me  a  rebel  or  anything  you 
want  to,  but  I  can't  help  saying  that  I  am  glad  my  brother  has 
escaped." 

After  dinner,  the  scouting  party  rode  into  their  own  camp, 
where  they  had  a  much-needed  rest. 

During  the  sail  across  Pamlico  Sound,  Captain  Bell,  in  a  spirit 
of  friendship,  said:  "Captain  Splaine,  you  are  too  fond  of  riding 
alone  through  the  country  around  Newport  Barracks.  Stop  it, 
or  you  will  come  to  grief.  Don't  tempt  the  goddess  too  far." 
Splaine  did  not  forget  that  warning. 


On  the  heels  of  this  excitement  came  the  unwelcome  rumor 
that  yellow  fever  had  broken  out  in  Newbern.  On  September  24, 
1864,  Captain  Splaine  received  orders  to  take  his  veteran  volun 
teers  home  to  their  State  for  forty  days.  The  captain  visited  Gen 
eral  Palmer  and  Surgeon-in-chief  Hand  at  Newbern,  to  find  out  the 
truth  of  the  rumors  about  yellow  fever,  and  so  convinced  was  he 
of  the  danger  that  he  wouldn't  allow  anyone  to  land  from  a  train 
at  Newport  Barracks.  Even  Captain  Graham  was  peremptorily 
refused  permission  to  visit  the  city.  Every  precaution  consistent 
with  military  duty  was  taken  to  guard  the  command  against  the 
awful  peril,  which  had  now  begun  to  assume  dangerous  proportions. 
Pine  branches  were  kept  burning  in  the  company  streets  day  and 
night,  and  at  reveille  each  morning  the  men  were  served  with  hot 
coffee  with  a  "stick' '  in  it. 

Final  orders  came  to  start  North  with  the  veteran  volunteers, 
but  Captain  Splaine  prevailed  upon  General  Palmer  to  permit  him  to 
take  transport  at  Fort  Spinola  wharf,  so  as  to  avoid  going  into 


248  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Newbern.  By  these  means  the  battalion  went  North  and  returned 
without  the  loss  of  a  single  man.  Lieutenant  Malcolm  Sillars  was 
left  in  command  of  the  recruits,  Lieut-Colonel  Curlis  of  the  Ninth 
New  Jersey  Volunteers,  commanded  the  Post. 

The  battalion  sailed  from  Fort  Spinola  Wharf  September  2.3, 
1864,  making  Fortress  Monroe  on  the  25th.  Several  hours'  delay 
occurred  here,  until  Captain  Splaine  communicated  by  telegraph 
with  General  Butler,  who  was  at  Bermuda  Hundreds.  General 
Butler  authorized  the  battalion  to  proceed,  and  said  the  leaves 
of  absence  for  the  officers  would  follow  by  mail  to  Boston.  The 
battalion  reached  Boston,  September  28th,  and  was  entertained  in 
Faneuil  Hall  by  Mayor  Lincoln.  Colonel  Fellows  was  present, 
having  been  exchanged,  to  welcome  his  old  comrades-in-arms. 

While  the  officers  and  men  were  at  home  enjoying  themselves 
they  received  the  sad  news  that  Colonel  Thomas  I.  C.  Amory  had 
died  at  Beaufort,  N.  C.,  of  yellow  fever,  on  the  seventh  day  of 
October,  1864. 

A  short  time  after  this,  Captain  Splaine  was  commissioned 
major,  upon  the  recommendation  of  Colonel  Fellows,  then  an  ex 
changed  prisoner  of  war,  and  employed  on  special  work,  at  Ihe 
State  House,  Boston,  Mass.,  by  Governor  Andrew. 

The  furlough  of  the  command  expired  just  before  presidential 
election,  and  the  battalion  was  retained  in  Massachusetts,  so  that 
the  men  might  vote  for  the  candidate  of  their  choice,  the  candidates 
being  Abraham  Lincoln  011  the  Republican  ticket,  and  General 
McClellan  on  the  Democratic  ticket. 

The  command  started  from  Boston,  November  10th,  reaching 
New  York  the  following  day,  and  waited  there  for  transportation 
until  the  16th,  when  passage  was  secured  on  the  "El  Cid"  transport, 
and  arrived  at  Newbern  on  Sunday,  November  20th,  at  10  A.  M., 
and  at  Newport  Barracks  the  same  night. 


RETURN  TO  NEWBERN  AFTER  FURLOUGH. 

When  they  arrived  at  Newbern,  after  a  furlough  of  forty  days, 
in  their  home  state,  the  officers  and  many  of  the  men  of  the  re- 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  249 

organized  Seventeenth  Regiment  had  an  opportunity  to  see  the 
city  as  it  appeared  after  the  scourge  of  yellow  fever,  which  had  lasted 
nearly  two  months.  In  that  time,  many  officers  and  men  of  the 
army,  civilians  in  the  employ  of  the  government,  and  a  number 
of  the  unfortunate  inhabitants  of  the  place,  went  down  to  un 
timely  graves.  Among  the  soldiers  who  died  there,  the  Seven 
teenth  lost  a  number  who  had  been  on  detached  service  when  the 
regiment  went  home  on  veteran  furlough,  and  who  preferred  to 
remain  at  their  posts  rather  than  go  home  with  their  comrades. 

When  the  command  was  going  on  furlough,  Captain  Splaine 
urged  every  man  so  detailed  to  join  the  command,  and  told  them  it 
was  a  good  opportunity  to  avoid  some  contagious  disease  which  was 
then  prevalent  in  the  city;  but  they  didn't  heed  the  warning  advice. 
Nearly  every  man  of  them  died.  When  the  dread  disease  of 
yellow  fever  became  established  in  Newbern,  some  of  the  superior 
officers  of  the  garrison  found  it  convenient  to  go  to  other  sections 
of  the  department,  and  by  this  move  were,  perhaps,  fortunate 
enough  to  save  their  lives. 

To  the  returning  officers  and  men  of  the  Seventeenth  the  city 
presented  a  desolate  and  forbidding  appearance.  Many  houses 
had  been  burned  in  efforts  to  stop  the  spread  of  the  disease,  leaving 
the  bare  chimneys  to  mark  their  former  existence,  while  the  remain 
ing  houses  were  black  from  the  smoke  of  fumigation.  Even  the 
trees  showed  the  effects  of  fumigation,  being  blackened  and  leafless, 
and  everyone  seemed  in  despair.  The  troops  and  surviving  civil 
ians  seemed  sorrow-stricken  and  disheartened,  and  looked  as  if 
they  had  been  deserted  and  neglected. 

To  form  an  adequate  idea  of  Newbern,  as  seen  by  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  command  on  that  Sunday,  November  20,  1864,  one 
would  only  have  to  recall  the  awful  picture  in  Byron's  "  Darkness.' ' 
The  officers  and  men  of  the  Seventeenth  now  learned  for  the 
first  time  the  full  extent  of  the  misfortunes  which  had  come  to 
Colonel  Amory  and  his  family.  The  colonel  had  died.  His  wife 
and  mother  also  died,  leaving  three  beautiful  children.  Fortunately 
their  uncles,  R.  Gordon  Amory,  and  his  brother  Major  William  A. 
Amory  (both  commissioned  officers  in  the  Second  Massachusetts 
Heavy  Artillery),  were  in  Newbern,  and,  with  Colonel  Frankle, 


250  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

looked  after  the  children.  If  the  officers  of  the  Seventeenth  had 
been  present  at  the  time  of  the  deaths  in  the  Amory  family,  they 
would  have  rendered  every  assistance  in  their  power  to  the  bereaved 
ones.  The  youngest  of  the  children,  Laura  Carolina,  the  "  Daugh 
ter  of  the  Regiment/ '  was  at  the  time  only  five  months  old. 

Back  at  Newport  Barracks,  the  Seventeenth  again  settled 
down  to  military  life,  and  soon  became  more  efficient  than  ever  in 
all  things  pertaining  to  their  duties. 


NEWBERN  DURING  THE  RAVAGES  OF  YELLOW  FEVER. 


BY  ROLAND  F.  LEWIS. 

After  re-enlisting,  I  was  detailed  to  General  Harland's  head 
quarters,  and  assigned  to  the  sanitary  department,  as  yellow  fever 
and  small-pox  were  then  raging  in  and  about  Newbern.  I  was 
placed  in  charge  of  a  force  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  colored  men, 
with  orders  to  clean  up  the  city  and  restore  it  to  a  sanitary  condi 
tion.  With  this  force  I  di  stributedsome  two  hundreddcarloads 
of  lime  about  the  yards  of  houses  in  and  about  the  city,  cut  down 
the  trees,  and  at  night  burned  over  two  hundred  barrels  of  turpen 
tine  and  about  five  hundred  cords  of  wood. 

My  instructions  were  to  keep  the  city  enveloped  in  smoke  in 
order  to  destroy  the  germs  of  the  fever.  I  saw  my  comrades  dying 
every  day.  One  of  them  I  recall,  was  Sol  Parks  of  the  23d  Massa 
chusetts  Regiment,  who  died  of  the  black  vomit  at  my  head 
quarters.  He  was  a  Newburyport  boy.  I  visited  the  Foster  and 
Stanley  General  Hospitals. 

At  the  time  when  the  Seventeenth  went  home  on  veteran  fur 
lough  General  Harland  requested  me  to  remain  with  him,  which 
I  did,  and  after  the  city  was  cleared  of  fever,  I  came  home  on  fur 
lough.  The  men  in  the  government  harness  shop,  who  had  yellow 
fever,  recovered  and  returned  to  work.  These  men  made  a  full 
set  of  horse  equipments  and  presented  them  to  me  for  the  many 
little  acts  of  kindness  I  had  rendered  them  while  they  were  sick 
with  the  fever.  The  great  fire  on  Middle  Street,  in  Newbern,  broke 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  251 

out  while  I  had  charge  of  the  pump  department  and  cisterns  of 
the  city.  It  destroyed  a  great  amount  of  property,  including  a 
large  hotel  and  many  business  establishments. 

On  my  return  from  furlough,  in  company  with  Henry  Dixey, 
whom  we  always  called  "Duchey,"  we  took  the  United  States 
steamer  "Undine,"  commanded  by  Captain  Simmons,  to  go 
through  the  Dismal  Swamp  Canal.  We  were  frozen  in  the  canal, 
and  in  company  with  the  whaler,  "  General  Shepley,"  remained 
there  some  two  weeks  before  we  could  proceed. 


TRADING  DAY  AT  THE  POST. 

Among  the  "institutions' '  at  the  post  was  one  known  as  "  Trad 
ing  Day,"  which  meant  that  on  Wednesdays  the  people  residing 
in  the  neutral  zone  were  permitted  to  come  to  a  certain  place  just 
inside  the  picket  line  for  the  purpose  of  swapping  products  of  their 
farms  and  industries  for  certain  necessaries  and  comforts  of  life 
furnished  by  northern  traders  from  within.  All  of  this  was  done 
under  the  supervision  of  Captain  Splaine,  who  was  careful  to  see 
that  no  goods  contraband  of  war  went  out,  which  could  be  used  by 
the  armed  enemy.  Many  of  the  outsiders  would  come  near  the 
trading  post  on  Tuesday  evening,  and  remain  on  the  roadside  over 
night,  so  as  to  commence  trading  in  the  morning. 

On  one  of  those  Tuesdays,  Captain  Splaine  rode  far  outside 
the  trading  post  to  see  for  himself  what  sort  of  people  he  was  deal 
ing  with,  and  as  he  was  about  to  turn  back,  he  noticed  a  man  about 
half  a  mile  away  coming  towards  him.  The  captain  drew  his 
horse  into  the  woods,  and  as  the  man  came  in  front  of  him,  rode  out 
briskly.  He  halted  the  man,  asked  who  he  was  and  where  he  was 
going. 

The  stranger  seemed  greatly  surprised,  but  answered  that  he 
was  going  down  to  the  trading  post.  He  was  reminded  that 
Tuesday  was  not  trading  day,  and  was  asked  what  he  had  to  sell. 
He  replied  that  he  had  nothing  to  sell,  but  expected  to  see  some 
friends  there.  He  was  asked  if  he  was  not  a  Confederate  soldier, 
and  replied  that  he  was  not.  Captain  Splaine  noticing  that  he 
had  something  bulky  in  his  inside  pocket,  demanded  to  be  shown 


252  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

what  was  there.  The  fellow  objected,  saying  that  what  he  had  was 
his  private  property.  The  captain  then  said  that  he  would  inarch 
him  in  as  a  prisoner  of  war. 

This  intimation  brought  the  fellow  to  his  senses,  and  he  con 
sented  to  show  quite  a  number  of  letters  for  persons  inside  the  lines, 
but  in  passing  over  the  letters,  he  slipped  one  from  the  bunch,  and 
by  a  quick  movement,  secreted  it  in  his  clothing.  "That  letter, 
sir!"  shouted  the  captain.  The  fellow  declared  it  was  only  a 
letter  from  his  mother.  "That  letter,  sir,  or  I  march  you  in  a 
prisoner ! ' ' 

The  letter  was  reluctantly  surrendered.  It  was  addressed 
to  "Capt.  George  W.  Graham,  Newport  Barracks."  That  was 
enough  for  Captain  Splaine,  who  demanded  to  know  who  had  sent 
it.  The  answer  was  that  a  farmer  some  miles  outside  had  asked 
him  to  deliver  it  to  Graham  at  the  trading  post.  The  captain 
ordered  the  fellow  to  face  about  and  not  come  near  the  trading  post 
until  the  next  day. 

Upon  his  return  to  camp  that  afternoon,  the  captain  read  the 
letters  he  had  taken  from  the  fellow,  and  when  he  came  to  the  one 
addressed  to  Captain  Graham,  he  found  that  it  was  from  Captain 
McDuffie  of  the  Confederate  Army,  suggesting  plans  to  further  a 
former  scheme,  by  which  Graham  was  to  ship  through  the  Union 
lines  certain  important  army  supplies,  and  that  the  payment  was 
to  be  in  gold. 

Captain  Splaine  kept  his  own  counsel,  but  rode  out  to  the 
trading  post  the  next  morning,  and  to  his  surprise  found  Captain 
Graham  ahead  of  him,  and  in  very  earnest  conversation  with  the 
man  from  whom  he  had  taken  the  letters  the  day  previous.  The 
two  captains  saluted  and  spoke  very  pleasantly,  although  Graham 
must  have  known  that  Splaine  held  a  secret  which  meant  hanging 
if  divulged. 

The  Captain  McDuffie  referred  to  had  married  a  Miss  Jones, 
who  was  the  sister  of  Captain  Graham'  s  adopted  wife. 

After  the  incident  just  related  Captain  Splaine  studiously 
avoided  riding  into  the  country  alone  with  Graham,  and  the  latter 
was  more  than  kind  and  attentive  to  his  commander  thereafter. 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  253 

Why  was  not  Graham  hanged?     To  this  question  Splaine 
answered :  "  Don't  ask  such  questions.    Tity,  forgive  and  forget. '  " 


December  12.  Rumors  are  rife  that  the  regiment  is  to  be 
filled  up,  and  that  many  of  the  officers  of  the  old  regiment  are 
coming  back.  Early  in  December  Captain  Splaine  tried  to  muster 
on  his  commission  as  major,  but  was  refused  muster  on  the  ground 
that,  according  to  army  regulations,  a  battalion  of  only  four  com 
panies  could  not  have  a  major.  It  could,  however,  have  a  lieu 
tenant-colonel.  Whereupon  the  captain  wrote  to  General  Grant, 
stating  the  facts,  and  asking  for  an  order  to  muster  as  major,  and 
on  the  same  day  wrote  to  Governor  Andrew,  asking  for  a  com 
mission  as  lieutenant-colonel.  General  Grant,  who  was  never  over- 
fond  of  red  tape,  sent  the  order  for  Captain  Splaine  to  muster  as 
major,  and  the  same  mail  brought  a  commission  as  lieutenant- 
colonel.  The  captain,  never  liking  the  position  of  major,  chose 
to  be  mustered  as  lieutenant-colonel,  and  was  so  mustered  Decem 
ber  19, 1864. 

December  23.  The  fleet  intended  for  attack  on  Wilmington 
has  put  in  at  Beaufort,  and  our  trains  are  busy  carrying  them 
fresh  water. 

December  25.  Our  fleet  is  bombarding  Fort  Fisher.  We  hear 
their  guns  plainly. 

December  28.  Received  copy  of  orders  from  the  War  Depart 
ment  for  the  transfer  of  several  hundred  men  from  the  Second 
Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery,  there  being  several  hundred  too 
many  men  in  that  regiment.  (This  transfer  was  brought  about  by 
Colonel  Fellows,  formerly  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment,  and 
recently  an  exchanged  prisoner  of  war.) 

January  2,  1865.  First  Lieut.  Joseph  A.  Moore  made  ad 
jutant,  and  on  the  7th,  Lieut.-Colonel  Splaine  relieves  Lieut. - 
Colonel  Curlis,  Splaine  being  made  provost  marshal  of  the  whole 
command  and  Charles  E.  Flanders,  Company  "D,"  clerk  and 
assistant. 

January  9.  General  Palmer  orders  the  retention  of  150  of  the 
surplus  men  to  be  transferred  to  the  Seventeenth  from  the  Second 


254  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Heavies,  to  fill  vacancies  which  "might  occur."  (This  is  in 
direct  violation  of  the  order  from  the  War  Department.) 

January  15.     Plainly  heard  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Fisher. 

January  16.  Received  37  men,  being  the  first  of  the  surplus 
ordered  from  the  Second  Massachusetts  Heavy,  and  on  January  17th 
there  came  73  more.  Company  E  is  now  organized,  making  five 
companies  to  date. 

January  18.  General  Palmer  issued  a  special  order  for  the 
retention  of  50  additional  surplus  men  in  the  Second  Heavy,  to 
fill  vacancies  made  by  prisoners  of  war.  (Upon  receipt  of  this 
order,  Colonel  Splaine  wrote  to  Governor  Andrew,  telling  him 
about  the  measures  adopted  in  Newbern,  to  prevent  the  carrying 
out  of  the  governor's  wishes  and  the  order  of  the  War  Depart 
ment.  It  will  be  seen  that  General  Palmer's  first  order  retained 
150  men  in  the  Second  Heavy  to  fill  vacancies  which  might  occur, 
and  that  his  second  order  retained  50  men  to  fill  vacancies  made 
by  prisoners  of  war.  Now,  these  200  men  would  have  made  the 
Seventeenth  1,000  strong,  and  Colonel  Fellows  could  have  mus 
tered  as  colonel,  for  the  new  regulations  provided  that  no  more 
commissioned  officers  could  be  mustered  unless  the  commands 
to  which  they  were  assigned  were  up  to  the  maximum  number  of 
men.  Each  new  company  organized  had,  by  orders  from  the  War 
Department,  to  be  of  the  full  strength  of  100  men,  so  that  when 
all  who  were  transferred  from  the  Second  Heavy  were  assigned, 
there  were  only  eight  full  companies,  which  precluded  Colonel 
Fellows  from  being  mustered  as  colonel.) 

January  20.  Colonel  John  F.  Fellows,  commissioned  colonel 
of  the  regiment  by  Governor  Andrew,  arrived  in  camp,  and  was 
warmly  greeted  by  the  officers  and  men. 

(Now  rumor  had  it  that  a  number  of  the  officers  who  had 
gone  home  with  the  old  regiment,  were  being  recommissioned 
for  the  new  one,  which  was  regarded  as  an  injustice  to  the  ones 
who  remained  in  the  service,  and  feeling  ran  so  high  that  Captain 
Smith  and  Lieutenants  Moore  and  Cann  threatened  to  resign. 
Colonel  Splaine  fully  informed  Colonel  Fellows  of  all  that  was 
going  on  in  Newbern,  called  his  attention  to  the  special  orders 
of  General  Palmer  to  keep  200  men  on  the  waiting  list  of  the 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  255 

Second  Heavy  Artillery,  and  suggested  that  he  inform  Gover 
nor  Andrews  of  what  had  been  and  was  being  done.  This  Colonel 
Fellows  did,  but  no  one  knew  what  the  answer  was,  or  what 
action  the  governor  had  taken.) 


CAPTAIN  GRAHAM  ONCE  MORE. 

About  this  time  (the  latter  part  of  January,  1865),  a  Con 
federate  blockade  runner  for  Wilmington,  having  lost  her  bearings, 
owing  to  bad  weather,  ran  on  the  beach  in  Bogue  Sound,  about 
fourteen  miles  south  of  Fort  Macon  and  about  eight  miles  distant 
from  Newport  Barracks.  The  crew  of  the  vessel  made  their 
escape  into  rebeldom,  taking  with  them  as  much  money  as  they 
could  conveniently  carry.  She  had  taken  a  cargo  of  cotton  to 
England  and  was  returning  with  a  load  of  war  material  and  plenty 
of  gold  coin.  She  was  now  taken  possession  of  by  Union  troops 
from  Fort  Macon,  and  a  few  days  afterwards,  a  force  of  men 
from  the  gunboats  at  Newbern,  was  sent  to  look  after  the  ship. 

Unloading  had  continued  several  days,  until  it  had  become 
common  knowledge  that  a  large  amount  of  gold  coin  was  being 
taken  from  the  ship,  and  was  being  carefully  guarded.  One  night, 
there  being  no  moon,  and  things  appeared  gloomy  along  the  shore, 
the  guards  were  surprised  by  a  party  of  Confederates  on  the  bluff 
shore,  who  opened  a  fusilade  upon  them.  The  guards,  fearing 
they  would  be  overpowered  and  captured,  fled,  leaving  the  enemy 
in  possession.  They  remained  long  enough  in  possession  to  get 
away  with  a  few  thousand  dollars  in  gold,  and  nothing  else. 

About  two  'weeks  after  this,  quite  a  display  of  gold  coin  was 
made  by  Graham's  men  and  they  seemed  anxious  to  get  rid  of  it, 
dollar  for  dollar,  for  paper  money.  A  five  dollar  gold  piece  could 
be  bought  for  five  dollars  in  bills,  when,  as  a  fact,  it  was  worth 
more  than  double  the  amount  at  the  time. 

This  newrs  reached  Colonel  Splaine's  ears,  and  he  immediately 
investigated  the  affair.  The  inference  he  drew  was  that  Graham 
and  some  of  his  men  made  their  way  out  of  camp  that  night  and 
personating  the  Confederates,  frightened  the  guards  away,  and  then 


256  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

plundered  as  they  pleased,  but  took  nothing  but  coin.  Splaine 
promptly  conveyed  to  his  superior  officers  his  impressions  of  the 
robbery  but  met  with  nothing  but  unsatisfactory  encouragement, 
and  leaving  the  case  in  their  hands,  it  seemed  to  fade  from  the 
minds  of  everybody. 

January  23.  Hospital  Steward  Getting,  who  remained  by 
Adjutant  Cheever,  when  the  latter  was  supposed  to  be  mortally 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Batchelder's  Creek,  February  1,  1864, 
and  who  Avas  released  from  rebel  prison  only  a  few  days  ago, 
reported  for  duty.  He  was  promptly  recommended  by  Colonel 
Splaine  for  a  commission  (which  he  received  a  few  days  afterwards). 

January  26.  Nine  deserters  from  Company  B,  Seventeenth 
North  Carolina  Confederate  Regiment,  arrived  in  camp  and  were 
properly  disposed  of. 


GENERAL  GRANT  AND  THE  SENTRY. 

At  daybreak,  on  Sunday,  January  28,  1865,  while  Private 
Herbert  Splaine  was  on  guard  at  the  Avharf  at  Moorehead  City, 
he  noticed  two  boats  approaching  the  landing,  that  seemed  to 
have  Union  soldiers  on  board.  As  the  boats  drew  nearer,  he 
could  see  that  the  occupants  were  commissioned  officers,  though 
they  wore  overcoats  such  as  the  enlisted  men  generally  wore. 
The  sentry  hailed  the  party  and  ordered  them  to  halt,  one  to  land 
and  give  the  countersign.  The  answer  was :  "  Commissioned  officers 
without  the  countersign."  The  sentry  then  ordered:  "Heave  to, 
and  send  one  officer  ashore  to  be  recognized."  Whereupon  a 
captain  came  ashore  and  the  sentry  being  satisfied  that  everything 
was  all  right,  said  "Advance,  officers."  At  this  command,  about 
twelve  officers  landed.  After  looking  around  a  moment,  one, 
who  appeared  to  be  in  authority,  inquired  of  the  sentry  if  there 
was  a  telegraph  office  near  by,  and  being  told  there  was  not,  he 
asked  how  near  was  the  nearest  commissioned  officer  of  the 
command.  The  sentry  replied  that  he  was  about  three  miles  away. 
Then  the  officer  in  authority  said  "Sentry,  give  your  musket  to 
Captain  -  — ,  who  will  do  guard  duty  while  you  are  gone, 

and  bring  a  commissioned  officer  to  me  at  once."     The  sentry 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  257 

said:  "Oh,  no,  sir;  I  wouldn't  dare  do  that."  And  when  asked 
why  not,  he  said,  "  That  brother  of  mine  would  kill  me  for  doing  it.' ' 
When  asked  who  his  brother  was,  his  answer  Was :  "  Colonel  Splaine, 
in  command  of  my  regiment."  The  officer  said  "I  guess  your 
brother  must  be  a  strict  disciplinarian."  The  sentry  answered: 
"Yes,  sir."  The  officer  then  inquired  the  sentry's  name,  and  the 
answer  was:  "Herbert,  sir."  The  officer  then  said  "Herbert,  give 
your  musket  to  the  captain,  and  take  his  pistol.  Go  rapidly, 
capturing  the  first  conveyance  you  can  find,  and  keep  going  until 
you  find  a  commissioned  officer,  and  bring  him  to  me."  Herbert 
remonstrated,  saying  he  could  not  do  it.  Whereupon  the  officer 
threw  back  his  coat  and  said,  "Herbert,  I  must  order  you  to  do  it.' ' 
Herbert  looked  at  the  officer  a  moment  and  then  exclaimed, 
excitedly  "Great  Scott!  General  Grant." 

He  almost  threw  his  musket  at  the  captain,  grabbed  the  pistol 
and  ran  up  the  road  with  all  his  speed.  At  the  cross  road,  about 
a  fourth  of  a  mile  away,  he  encountered  a  colored  man,  mounted 
on  a  good  horse,  and  without  any  ceremony  ordered  him,  by  order 
of  General  Grant,  to  dismount.  The  man  quickly  obeyed  him 
upon  seeing  the  pistol  pointed  at  his  head.  Herbert  jumped 
into  the  saddle,  rode  fast,  and  found  Capt.  William  W.  Smith 
of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  to  whom  he  gave  the  order  of 
General  Grant.  Captain  Smith  at  once  mounted  his  own  horse, 
and  he  and  Herbert  returned  to  where  the  general  and  his  party 
were  awaiting  them.  The  general  wished  to  be  put  into  com 
munication  with  General  Palmer  at  Newbern,  and  Captain  Smith 
facilitated  matters,  finding  shelter  and  food  for  him  and  his  party 
in  a  nearby  farmhouse. 

About  an  hour  afterwards,  a  train  came  thundering  down  the 
track,  and  the  two  generals  had  ample  opportunity  to  transact 
their  business,  after  which  General  Grant  and  his  party  returned 
to  their  boats.  The  general  was  pleased  with  his  visit,  and 
laughingly  extended  his  hand  to  Herbert  Splaine,  saying:  "Herbert, 
give  my  compliments  to  your  brother,  the  colonel,  and  tell  him 
that  I  say  you  are  a  good  soldier.  Good-day." 

The  party  consisted  of  General  Grant,  General  Rawlins  and 
other  members  of  his  staff,  and  one  or  two  members  of  the  cabinet. 


258  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Captain  Smith  and  his  sentry  never  tired  of  telling  the  story 
of  how  they  met  General  Grant,  and  it  may  be  said  that  the  Splaine 
family  regard  the  episode  as  one  well  worth  speaking  of  once  in  a 
while. 

February  9.  Ninety-seven  men  arrived  from  the  Second 
Heavy.  Capts.  James  Splaine,  Charles  O.  Fellows  and  Thomas 
R.  V.  Keenan  were  mustered  as  captains  this  day. 

February  10.  One  hundred  and  fifty-five  men  arrived  from 
the  Second  Heavy. 

February  14.  Capt.  William  W.  Smith  became  major,  and 
First  Lieutenants  Moore,  Webber  and  Cann  became  captains. 
Second  Lieutenants  Sillars  and  Hyde  became  first  lieutenants, 
and  James  Stewart  became  first  lieutenant  and  adjutant.  Ser 
geants  Symonds,  Roberts  and  Cotting  became  second  lieutenants. 

February  15.  The  regiment  has  been  organized  up  to  and 
including  Company  H.  Much  time  is  now  spent  in  looking  after 
the  interests  of  the  newly-made  and  newly-arrived  commissioned 
officers;  but  all  the  time  of  the  commanding  officer  is  not  given 
them,  for  he  spends  much  time  watching  company  drills,  instructing 
where  he  can.  He  is  ably  assisted  by  his  officers,  who  are  working 
all  the  time,  and  the  men  are  not  idle,  for,  scenting  the  coming 
struggle,  they  are  up  and  doing. 

The  visit  of  General  Grant  told  its  own  story,  and  the  Seven 
teenth  guessed  that  it  meant  business,  and  were  preparing  accord 
ingly.  They  were  right  in  their  conclusions  about  the  visit  of 
the  commander-in-chief,  for  just  now  (12  o'clock  at  midnight, 
March  1st)  Colonel  Splaine  has  received  orders  to  take  the  field 
with  his  regiment. 

Poor  Colonel  Fellows,  failing  to  muster,  is  preparing  to  go 
home  to  Massachusetts. 


LEAVING  NEWPORT  BARRACKS  FOR  THE  FIELD. 

In  obedience  to  the  order  received  at  12  o'clock  the  night 
before,  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  broke  camp  on  the  morning 
of  March  2,  1865,  and  reported  to  General  Palmer,  by  telegraph, 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  259 

as  ready  to  move.  Orders  were  received  to  wait  until  the  following 
morning,  as  all  the  trains  were  busy;  but  when  the  regiment  did 
move,  it  was  to  report  to  General  S.  P.  Carter.  Here  was  a  whole 
day's  rest  under  arms,  which  enabled  those  so  disposed  to  review 
the  happenings  of  the  two  months  just  passed. 

Two  months  before  the  command  was  only  a  battalion  of  four 
companies.  Now  it  was  a  regiment  of  eight  full  companies,  and  in 
fine  condition  for  the  coming  campaign,  in  which  it  was  now 
ordered  to  take  part. 

It  would  perhaps  be  well  to  review  here,  briefly,  some  facts 
and  incidents  connected  with  the  history  of  the  old  and  new  regi 
ments.  Colonel  John  F.  Fellows,  as  is  well  known,  was  com 
missioned  by  Governor  Andrew  to  command  the  regiment,  and 
an  arrangement  was  made  between  the  governor  and  the  War 
Department  to  have  transferred  from  the  Second  Massachusetts 
Heavy  Artillery  (Colonel  Frankle's  regiment),  at  Newbern,  N.  C., 
about  600  surplus  men,  to  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  which 
number  would  have  made  the  latter  1000  strong.  The  order  from 
the  War  Department  was  issued,  and  transfers  had  begun. 

At  this  time  a  special  order  was  issued  by  General  Palmer 
that  150  of  the  surplus  men  should  be  retained  in  the  Second  Heavy 
to  fill  vacancies  which  might  occur  in  the  future ;  and  later  on  issued 
an  order  retaining  50  more  of  the  same  regiment  to  fill  the  places 
of  prisoners  of  war.  These  special  orders  were  in  direct  violation 
of  the  arrangement  between  Governor  Andrew  and  the  War 
Department. 

Colonel  Fellows  was  appointed  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  old 
regiment  in  August,  1861,  and  was  the  actual  commander  of  it 
three-fourths  of  the  time  while  he  was  with  it.  His  service  with 
his  regiment,  during  two  and  a  half  years,  were  of  such  a  high 
order  as  to  command  the  admiration  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  was 
taken  prisoner  at  Batchelder's  Creek  on  February  1,  1864,  and  was 
held  by  the  enemy  until  August  2d  of  the  same  year.  Governor 
Andrew  knew  Colonel  Fellows  personally  and  knew  his  worth.  He 
trusted  him  in  1861,  when  he  made  him  commander  of  the  regi 
ment.  He  trusted  him  again  in  1865,  when  he  commissioned  him  a 
full  colonel  of  the  regiment;  and  to  further  help  Colonel  Fellows,  he 


260  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

prevailed  upon  the  War  Department  to  make  the  transfers  of  men 
referred  to;  in  order  to  fill  the  regiment. 

Colonel  Fellows  was  neither  coward  nor  laggard.  Had  he 
been,  he  would  not  have  been  over-anxious  to  serve  again  after 
his  sad  experience  in  the  rebel  prison.  Colonel  Fellows  was  in 
strumental  in  having  the  surplus  men  transferred  from  the  Second 
Heavy,  and  the  transfers  made  it  possible  for  many  of  the  officers 
of  the  Seventeenth  to  go  up  a  grade  in  rank,  and  in  some  instances, 
two  grades.  Colonel  Splaine  and  Captain  Mullally  were  the  only 
exceptions,  their  positions  not  being  affected  by  the  coming  of 
the  surplus  men. 

Colonel  Fellows  was  cheated  out  of  the  colonelcy  of  the  Seven 
teenth  Massachusetts  directly  by  the  special  orders  of  General 
Palmer  to  retain  200  of  the  surplus  men  in  the  Second  Heavy  to 
fill  imaginary  vacancies.  What  prompted  General  Palmer  to  take 
the  stand  he  did  against  Colonel  Fellows,  no  one  knows  today.  It 
was  evidently  a  conspiracy  to  keep  Colonel  Fellows  out  of  the  col 
onelcy  of  the  regiment,  and  whether  it  was  General  Palmer  and 
Col.  Jones  Frankle  of  the  Second  Heavy  or  others,  it  was  a 
mean,  cruel  and  vindictive  piece  of  trickery — unbecoming  brave 
and  patriotic  officers. 

They  cheated  the  man  who  was  always  at  the  front  of  his 
command,  who  wTas  neglected  and  deserted  in  the  Battle  of  Bat- 
chelder's  Creek,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner.  They  cheated  the 
man  who  was  in  a  rebel  dungeon  for  six  months,  and  who  was  one  of 
the  prominent  Union  officers  chosen  by  the  Confederates  to  be 
placed  under  fire  of  the  Union  batteries  in  Charleston,  with  the  belief 
that  the  batteries  would  not  fire  because  of  their  presence  there. 
But  the  batteries  did  fire,  and  the  firing  only  helped  to  fire  the 
patriotism  of  the  brave  officers  so  exposed. 

They  cheated  the  man  who  had  been  thus  imprisoned,  covered 
with  filth  and  slowly  starving  to  death.  They  cheated  the  man 
who,  seeing  his  companions  in  prison  without  a  cent  of  money 
among  them,  and  no  succor  in  sight,  gave  his  note  for  $500  in  gold, 
payable  at  any  bank  in  Boston,  in  order  to  help  his  associates  to 
get  soap,  towels,  combs,  brushes,  food  and  clothing,  in  a  word  to 
save  their  lives.  (That  note  was  honored  in  Boston,  at  the  instance 


THE  NEW  SEVENTEENTH.  261 

of  George  O.  Carpenter,  and  subsequently  paid  by  Colonel  Fel 
lows.) 

The  same  General  Palmer  was  now  placed  in  command  of  all 
the  Union  troops  in  North  Carolina,  and,  under  General  Schofield, 
was  to  open  up  communication  with  and  supply  General  Sherman's 
army,  after  its  memorable  march  through  the  South;  but  Palmer 
was  so  dilatory  that  he  was  superseded  by  General  Cox  of  Ohio. 
But  General  Palmer  and  others  were  not  a  bit  dilatory  in  cheating 
Colonel  Fellows  out  of  his  well-earned  colonelcy. 

The  command  Palmer  was  to  have,  was  equal  to  that  of  any 
army  corps,  but  now  he  was  relegated  to  the  command  of  a  division. 
Yankee  colonels  were  never  favorites  in  North  Carolina.  If  they 
had  been,  Colonel  Thomas  I.  C.  Amory  would  have  come  home  a 
major-general  and  Colonel  Fellows  a  brigadier.  The  officers  who 
were  favored  there  were  Middle  States  men,  men  with  no  such 
high  qualifications  as  were  possessed  by  Amory  and  Fellows. 
Many  of  the  Middle  States  men  were  advanced  rapidly. 

Intrigue  against  Colonel  Fellows  was  not  a  thing  of  recent 
origin.  It  had  its  birth  in  his  own  regiment,  during  the  latter 
part  of  1862  and  the  early  part  of  1863.  A  certain  clique  of  officers 
of  the  Seventeenth,  who  were  more  ambitious  for  promotion  than 
for  a  chance  to  meet  the  enemy,  believing  that  Colonel  Amory 
would  soon  become  a  brigadier,  were  on  the  lookout  for  coming 
honors ;  but  when  it  became  evident  that  Amory  was  being  slighted, 
they  found  themselves  in  a  quandary  as  to  how  their  cherished 
hopes  of  promotion  could  be  made  to  bear  fruit. 

Their  next  plot  was  to  drive  Colonel  Fellows  out  of  the  regi 
ment.  They  tried  to  poison  Colonel  Amory 's  mind  against  him, 
but  that  high-minded  gentlemen  would  not  entertain  a  single 
thought  or  feeling  of  ill-will  against  his  worthy  and  tried  lieutenant- 
colonel.  They  tried  to  poison  Fellows'  mind  against  Amory;  but 
that  true  and  loyal  soldier,  loyal  always  to  his  chief  and  his  flag, 
could  not  be  coaxed  to  do  or  say  anything  which  could  be  con 
strued  into  any  act  or  speech  resembling  insubordination  or  disre 
spect. 

They  tried  to  poison  the  minds  of  officers  of  the  regiment 
outside  of  their  own  clique  against  Fellows,  but  the  majority  of  the 


262  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

officers  knew  their  places  too  well,  and  could  not  be  seduced  from 
their  loyalty  to  both  Amory  and  Fellows,  who  were  the  lawful 
commanders  of  the  regiment.  If  Fellows  could  have  been  dis 
posed  of,  a  certain  field  officer  would  become  lieutenant-colonel, 
and  a  certain  captain  would  have  become  major. 

Now  to  resume  our  narrative : 

On  March  3,  1865,  no  better  off  in  the  matter  of  transporta 
tion  than  the  day  before,  the  regiment  still  waited.  Late  in  the 
afternoon,  however,  it  was  learned  that  a  train  was  being  sent 
down  from  Newbern  for  its  transportation.  The  train  came,  and 
just  after  midnight  the  command  rolled  away  from  Newport 
Barracks,  leaving  poor  Colonel  Fellows  standing  on  the  platform, 
waving  his  hat  in  farewell  to  his  old  associates  in  arms.  It  was  an 
affectionate,  but  a  sad,  parting.  There  he  was  left  alone  to  make 
his  way  to  Chelsea,  Mass.,  as  best  he  could. 

The  following  letter  from  Major-General  J.  G.  Foster,  com 
manding  the  Department  of  the  South,  shows  unmistakably  the 
high  esteem  in  which  Colonel  Fellows  wTas  held  by  the  predecessor 
of  General  Palmer,  in  command  of  the  Department  of  North 
Carolina. 

HEADQUARTERS, 
DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  SOUTH, 
HILTON  HEAD,  S.  C.,  December  23,  1864. 
J.  F.  FELLOWS,  Esq., 

Late  Lt.  Col.  17th  Mass.  Vols.  Boston,  Mass. 
MY  DEAR  SIR  : 

Your  communication  of  the  2d  hist.,  requesting  a  recommenda 
tion  for  a  position  in  Maj.-Gen.  Hancock's  new  veteran  corps,  is 
received. 

I  most  cheerfully  recommend  you  for  an  appointment  in  said 
corps.  While  serving  with  me  in  North  Carolina,  I  always  found 
you  an  able,  efficient  and  brave  officer.  I  consider  you  perfectly 
competent  for  the  command  of  any  regiment,  and  believe  you 
could  induce  many  of  your  old  regiment  to  re-enlist  under  you  if 
you  should  succeed  in  obtaining  the  appointment. 
Respectfully  yours, 

J.  G.  FOSTER,  Maj.  Gen.  Commdg. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


ROSTER  OF  FIELD,  STAFF,  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF,  COMPANY 
OFFICERS  AND  ENLISTED  MEN  OF  THE  REORGANIZED  SEVEN 
TEENTH  REGIMENT,  MASSACHUSETTS  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER 
INFANTRY. 

LIST  OF  ABBREVIATIONS 

Art.— Artillery  k.— Killed 

Assig. — Assigned  Must. — Mustered 

Bat. — Battalion  M.  O. — Mustered  out 

Com. — Commissioned  no.fur.rec. — No  further  record 

Co. — Company  organ. — Organization 

d. — Died  pris. — Prisoner 

drum. — Drummed  pro. — Promoted 

disabil. — Disability  rec. — Recommended 

Disch. — Discharged  re-enlist. — Re-enlisted 

Expir. — Expiration  regt. — Regiment 

S-. — Grave  regtl. — Regimental 

.  Art. — Heavy  Artillery  ser. — Service 

hon. — Honorably  sub. — Substitute 

hospl. — Hospital  transf. — Transferred 

Inf. — Infantry  vols. — Volunteers 

REORGANIZED  FIELD  AND  STAFF  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Thomas  I.  C.  Amory,  Colonel;  36;  July  1, '64;  Boston;  d.  October  7, '64,  at  Beaufort,  N.  C. 

of  yellow  fever;  brevetted  brigadier-general. 
John  F.  Fellows,  Colonel;  October  9,  '64;  Chelsea;  not  mustered. 
Henry  Splaine,  Colonel;  27;  June  16,  '65;  Haverhill;  not  mustered  as  Colonel. 
Henry  Splaine,  Lt. -Col;  27;  Aug.  10,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  W.  Smith,  Lt.-Col.;  27;  June  16,  '65;  Danvers;M.  O.  as  Major. 
Henry  Splaine,  Major;  27;  Aug4,  '64;  Haverhill;  pro.  Lt.-Col.  Aug.  10,  '64. 
William  W.  Smith,  Major;  27;  Aug.  4,  '64;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  E.  Mullally,  Major;  26;  June  16,  '65;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  as  Captain. 
Daniel  S.  Allen,  Surgeon;  46;  Feb.  20,  '65;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
George  W.  Clark,  Asst.  Surgeon;  29;  July  3,  '63;  Boston;  dismissed  Dec.  23,  '64. 
Joseph  A.  Moore,  1st  Lt.  and  Adjt.;  21;  Jan.,  '65;  Gloucester;  pro.  Captain,  assigned  to  Co.  B. 
James  H.  Stuart,  1st  Lt.  and  Adjt.;  29;  Mar.  4,  '65;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Henry  B.  Webber,  Rgtl.  Qm.;  29;  Aug.  3,  '64;  Haverhill;  pro.  Captain  Mar.  4,  '65;  assigned 

to  Co.  E. 
Horace  Dexter,  Regtl.  Qm.;  38;  Feb.  1,  '65;  Cambridge;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65;  commissioned 

Captain  June  16,  '65. 

James  H.  Stuart,  Sgt.  Major;  28;  July  1,  '64;  Boston;  disch.  for  pro.  to  1st  Lt.  March  3,  '65. 
Malcolm  Sillars,  Qm.  Sgt.;  27;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Danvers;  disch.  for  pro.  2d  Lt.  July  4,  '64. 

[263] 


264  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR  CREDIT. 

George  W.  Hewes,  Qm.  Segt.;  28;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  commissioned  2d  Lt.  July  16, '65; 

M.O.July  11, '65. 

Henry  B.  Webber,  Com.  Sgt.;  28;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  pro.  1st  Lt.  and  Qm.  Aug.  15,  '64. 
Edwin  A.  Moulton,  Com.  Sgt.;  25;  Mar.  1,  '65;  Salisbury;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Edward  P.  Cotting,  Hospl.  Steward;  25;  Aug.  3,  '63;  Worcester;  pro.  2d  Lt.  March  3,  '65; 

assigned  to  Co.  C. 

Algernon  S.  Nichols,  Hospl.  Steward;  18;  Mar.  4,  '65;  West  Cambridge;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
George  E.  Moore,  Prin.  Musician;  27;  Apr.  1,  '65;  Shutesbury;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 


COMPANY  "A",  NEW  ORGANIZATION 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR   CREDIT. 

Henry  Splaine,  Captain;  25;  Jan.  31,  '62;Haverhill;  pro.  Major  Aug.  4,  '64. 

James  Splaine,  Captain;  24;  Feb.  9,  '65;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

James  Splaine  1st  Lt. ;  22 ;  Dec.  24,  '62 ;  Haverhill ;  pro.  Captain  Feb.  9,  '65. 

Malcolm  Sillars,  1st  Lt.;  26;  March  4,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Thomas  F.  Newton,  1st  Lt.;  34;  July  3,  '62;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  New    Co.  B;  transf.  to 

N.  C.  Union  Volunteers. 
Joseph  A.  Moore,  2d  Lt.;  20;  July  22,  '63;  Gloucester;  pro.  1st  Lt.  Aug.  30,  '64;  transf.  to 

new  Co.  C. 

Henry  G.  Hyde,  2d  Lt.;  22;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Danvers;  pro.  1st  Lt.  Mar.  4,  '65;  transf.  to  Co.  E. 
Eben  Symonds,  1st  Sgt.;  22;  Dec.  5,  '63;  Maiden;  commissioned  2d  Lt.  Mar.  3,  '65. 
Thomas  A.  Murray,  1st  Sgt.;  20;  Jan.  2,  '64;  Newburyport;  commissioned  2d  Lt.  June  1,  '65; 

M.O.  as  Sgt.  July  11,  '65. 

Elisha  Young,  Sgt.;  34;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Newburyport;  disch  for  disiability  June 29,  '65. 
Andrew  J.  Tilt-on,  Sgt.;  23;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Andrew  Templeton,  Sgt.,  21;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Cowan,  Sgt.;  21 ;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Salisbury;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
Areatus  H.  Dillingham,  Sgt.;  31;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Dunn,  Sgt.;  32;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Newburyport;  commissioned  2d  Lt.  June  1,  '65;  d.  June  3, 

'65. 

Patrick  H.  Donovan,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Salem;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Taylor  J.  Valler,  Corp.;  23;  Feb.  13,  '64;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Daniel  Lynch,  Corp.;  22;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O..July  11,  '65. 
Albert  J.  Cook,  Corp.;  23;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  W.  Marshall,  Corp.;  25;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Albert  F.  Austin,  Corp.;  24;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
Joseph  W.  Haynes,  Corp.;  26;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Roland  F.  Lewis,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Salem;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Andrew  P.  Lewis,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  Co.  F. 
Randall  P.  Newman,  Corp.;  21;  Dec.  5,  '63;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  E.  Batchelder,  Musician;  21;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Wenham;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Dennis  Dwyer,  Musician;  23;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Edward  G.  Boyle,  Musician;  21;  Feb.  14,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  to  Co.  D,  Mar.  6,  '65. 
George  A.  Johnson,  Musician;  20;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Maiden;  transf.  to  Co.  D,  Mar.  26,  '65. 
Thomas  Ahern,  Private;  29;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  Ames,  Private;  38;  Feb.  13,  '64;  Charlestown;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Henry  Bell,  Private;  26;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Brookline;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Lewis  F.  Besse,  Private;  38;  Jan.  4,  '64;  No.  Chelsea;  transf.  to  Co.  F. 
Henry  A.  W.  Blackburn,  Private;  18;  July  16,  '64;  Faxton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  July  27,  '65. 
Charles  H.  Blake,  Private;  20;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Salisbury;  disch.  July  25,  '65. 


COMPANY  A,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  265 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

John  B.  Blodgett,  Private;  24;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Sturb ridge;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 

Charles  S.  Bolton  Private;  25;  Feb.  29,  '64;  Boston ;  wounded  Mar.  8,  '65;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Patrick  Bohan,  Private;  26;  Jan.  15,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 

Charles  H.  Brackett,  Private;  18;  Feb.  9,  '65;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Addison  Bricket,  Private;  22;  Sept.  20,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Francis  Buckley,  Private;  24;  Sept,  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65;  transf.  from  2d 

Regt,  H.  Art. 

John  Burke,  Private;  37;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Newburyport;  disch.  for  disability  Feb.  25,  '65. 
John  Bushman,  Private;  21;  Feb.  13,  '65;  Worcester;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Andrew  Byer,  Private;  19;  July  19,  '64;  Milton;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art,;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Daniel  Callahan,  Private;  25;  Aug.  5,  '64;  Grafton;  disch.  June  12,  '65;    transf.  from  2d 

H.Art, 
Timothy  Calnan,  Private;  19;  Aug.  18,  '64;   Boston;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art.;  M.  O.  July  11, 

'65. 

James  F.  Casey,  Private;  21 ;  Sept.  10/64;  Lawrence;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art.;  M.  O.Julyl,'65. 
Henry  Chase,  Private;  26;  DC.  3,  '63;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Henry  Clark,  Private;  27;  July  25,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art.;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
George  I.  Clapp,  Private;  20;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Chelsea;  disch.  July  25,  '65. 
Levi  F.  Colbath,  Private;  29;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  July  12,  '65. 
David  Cole,  Private;  28;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 

John  Conboy,  Private;  21;  Jan.  25,  '64;  Lynn;  pris.  of  war  Mar.  10,  '65;  disch.  June  17,  '65. 
Edward  Conley,  Private;  40;  Aug.  25,  '64;  Milford;  disch.  July  27,  '65;  transf.  from  2d 

H.  Art, 

Timothy  Connelly,  Private;  23;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  A.  Corey,  Private;  21;  Aug.  19,  '64;  Great  Barrington;  transf.  from    2d    H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Frank  Croston,  Private;  25;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Bradford;    transf.  from  2d   Rgt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Thomas  Curtin,  Private;  26;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  d.  June  6,  '65,  at  Greensboro,  X.  C. 
James  L.  Dale,  Private;  23;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Jesse  L.  Dame,  Private;  21;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Beverly;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Dane,  Private;  24;  Feb.  13,  '64;  Medford;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Davidson,  Private;  19;  Dec.  28,  '63;  Wenham;  transf.  to  Co.  E. 
Charles  H.  Davis,  Private;  19;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  L.  Davis,  Private;  41;  Mar.  14,  '64;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  Donahue,  Private;  20;  Sept,    1,  '64;   Townsend;   transf.   from  2d  H.   Art.;  M.   O. 

July  11,  '65. 

Michael  Dooley,  Private;  41;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Dooniri,  Private;  31;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Georgetown;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Daniel  J.  Dwyer,  Private;  23;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Frederick  Eaton,  Private;  30;  Jan.  2,  '64;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Ellis,  Private;  21;  Jan.  25,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Fahey,  Private;  45;  Feb.  1,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 
Thomas,  Farrell,  Private;  42;  Sept.  7,   '64;    Great  Barrington;    transf.  from   2d  Regt.  H. 

Art.;M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

James  Finn,  Private;  31;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Rockport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Henry  A.  Flanders,  Private;  20;  Feb.  16,  '64;  Lynn;  pris.  Mar.  10,  '65;  disch.  June  5,  '65. 
Samuel  J.  Ford,  Private;  21;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  to  Co.  E. 
Hiram  S.  Foss,  Private;    20;    Aug.  25,  '64;    Lowell;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;    M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 

Albert  Gale,  Private;  22;  Feb.  29,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  July  22,  '65. 
William  Gannon,  Private;  21;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
George  A.  Gardner,  Private;    18;    Sept.  2,  '64;    Dighton;  transf.  from    2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 


266  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Dennis  Gleason,  Private;  20;  Sept.  6,  '64;    Tewksbury;  transf.    from    2d    Regt.  H.    Art.; 

M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  F.  Glynn,  Private;  31;  Aug.  25,  '64;  Lowell;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65;  transf.  from  2d  Regt. 

H.  Art. 

Charles  H.  Gove,  Private;  21;  Dec.  28,  '63;  Rocfcport;  d.  Sept.  29,  '64,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
John  C.  Grover,  Private;  20;  Dec.  28,  '63;  Melrose;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Stephen  S.  Hall,  Private;  29;  June  3,  '64;  Upton;  transf.  to  Co.  C. 
George  W.  Herrick,  Private;  44;    Sept.  5,  '64;    Milford;    transf.  from    2d    Regt.  H.  Art.; 

killed  in  action  Mar.  8,  '65,  Kinston,  N.  C. 

George  W.  Hewes,  Private;  27;  Jan.  5, '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  N.C.  S.Qm.  Sgt.,Sept.l,'64. 
Jeremiah  B.  Hill,  Private;  42;  Dec.  27,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Richard  Higston,  Private;  45;  Jan.  15,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 
Benjamin  Huddle,  Private;  19;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Salem;  disch.  Aug.  9,  '65. 
John  H.  Ingersoll,  Private;  21;  Dec.  30,  '63;  Gloucester;  disch.  July  24,  '65. 
Edwin  Janes,  Private;  22;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Salem;  disch.  June  5,  '65. 
William  Jones,  Private;  24;    Aug.  18,   '64;    West  Cambridge;    transf.  from    2d    H.  Art,; 

disch.  July  24,  '65. 

George  M.  Keen,  Private;  21;  Jan.  4,  '64:  Medford;  transf.  to  Co.  E. 
Packard  Kennedy,  Private;  29;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Georgetown;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Samuel  Kezar,  Private;  37;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Joseph  W.  Lawton,  Private;  34;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Simon  L.  Lee,  Private;  27;  Aug.  18,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art.;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 
George  H.  Lewis,  Private;  20;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Medford;  d.  May  12,  '65,  at  Raleigh,  N.  C. 
John  Lynch,  Private;  41;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  I.  Marshall,  Private;  20;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Masterson,  Private;  30;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Dennis  McCarty,  Private;  27;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Boston;  d.  Sept.  29,  '64,  at  Newbem,  N.  C. 
Patrick  McCarty,  Private;  21 ;  Dec.  12,  '63;  Boston;  deserted  Nov.  10,  '64,  while  on  furlough. 
Jesse  McLoud,  Private;  21;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Rockport;  disch.  July  27,  '65. 
Owen  McGauley,  Private;  27;  Dec.  11,  '63;  Georgetown;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  McGrath,  Private;  20;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Timothy  Meaney,  Private;  31;  Mar.  30,  '64;  Abington;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Benjamin  Nolan,  Private;  19;  Jan.  19,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Hiram  C.  Norcross,  Private;  21;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Manchester;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Noyes,  Private;  18;  Feb.  24,  '65;  Newbury;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  O'Connell,  Private;    27;    Sept.  6,   '64;    Abington;    transf.  from    2d  H.  Art.;    d.  of 

wounds  at  Newbern,  N.  C.,  Apr.  8,  '65. 

Charles  P.  Ordway,  Private;  23;  Jan.  4,  '64;  East  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Francis  Peabody,  Private;  21;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Boston;  d.  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Joseph  Perkins,  Private;  23;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Newbury;  pris.  of  war  Mar.  8,  '65;  disch.  July  19/65. 
Richard  Putrill,  Private;  20;  Jan.  2,  '64;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  Co.  F. 
Alfred  Putnam,  Private;  28;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Haverhill;  di?ch.  June  30,  '65. 
George  B.  Reed,  Private;  18;  Jan.  15,  '64;  Lynn;  Transf.  to  Co.  B. 
John  Reeves,  Private;  24;  Dec.  30,  '63;  Rockport;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Albert  Remington,  Private;  22;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Sturbridge;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  P.  Richardson,  Private;  22;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Henry  Rivers,  Private;  27;  Dec.  5,  '63;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Benjamin  P.  Rogers,  Private;  20;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Newbury;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Silas  H.  Rogers,  Private;  35;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Ezra  Rumney,  Private;  30;  Jan.  5, '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art,  M.O.  Julyll,'65. 
Benjamin  A.  Sargent,  Private;  26;  Feb.  29,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  F. 
Llewelln  Sawyer,  Private;  25;  Feb.  13,  '64;  Hubbardston;  disch.  July  24,  '65. 
Thomas  B.  Simonds,  Private;  20;  Sept.  20,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  F. 
John  S.  Smith,  Private;  46;  Feb.  11,  '64;  Taunton;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 


COMPANY  B,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  267 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Herbert  Splaine,  Private;  39;  Sept.  13,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Moses  N.  Stanley,  Private;  33;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Michael  Sullivan,  Private;  31;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  Co.  F. 

Henry  Thomas  Taylor,  Private;  24;  Dec.  4,  '64;  Rockport;  disch.  June  23,  '65. 

Alphonso  W.  Thorns,  Private;  19;  Oct.  8,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  expiration  of  term  Oct.  7,  '64. 

Martin  Watson,  Private;  20;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Francis  Whittier,  Private;  18;  Dec.  17,  '63;  Haverhill;  disch.  July  22,  '65. 

Byron  A.  Woodbury,  Private;  25;  Jan.  1,   '64;  Gloucester;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Feb. 

1,  '64;  No.  of  grave,  6483. 

Miles  Woodman,  Private;  42;  Nov.  14,  '61 ;  Boston;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
Caleb  S.  Woodwell,  Private;  25;  Dec.  14,  '63;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  Aug.  11,  '65. 
Francis  B.  Wyman,  Private;  23;  Jan.  19,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Andrew  Andrews,  Private;  22;  Dec.  10,  '64;  Newport,  N.  C.;  M.  O.  July  '65,  Colored  Under 

Cook. 
George  Andrews,  Private;  39;  Dec.  16,  '64;  Newport,  N.  C.;  M.  O.  July  11, '65,  Colored  Under 

Cook. 


COMPANY  "B",  NEW  ORGANIZATION 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

William  W.  Smith,  Captain;  24;  July  5,  '63;  Danvers;  promoted  maj.;  transf.  to  Field'and 
Staff. 

Joseph  A.  Moore,  Captain;  21;  Mar.  4,  '65;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Thomas  F.  Newton,  1st  Lt,;  33;  Aug.  14,  '62;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  for  promotion  Nov.  18./64, 
N.  C.  Vols. 

Horace  Dexter,  1st,  Lt.;  38;  Jan.  19,  '65;  Cambridge;  transf.  to  Field  and  Staff  as  Regtl. 
Quartermaster. 

James  M.  Stuart,  1st  Lt.;  29;  Mar.  4, '65;  Boston;  transf.  to  Field  and  Staff  as  Adjutant. 

Henry  G.  Hyde,  1st  Lt.;  22;  Mar.  4,  '65;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  E. 

Lewis  Cann,  2d  Lt.;  23;  Apr.  26,  '63;  Danvers;  pro.  1st  Lt.;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 

Orrin  B.  Cooley,  2d  Lt.;  39;  Feb.  7,  '65;  Longmeadow;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65  as  2d  Lt.;  com 
missioned  1st  Lt,  June  30,  '65. 

James  Smith,  1st  Sgt.;  Mar.  25,  '64;  Danvers;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Sept.  19,  '64;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 

Robert  Smith,  1st  Sgt.;  20;  Jan.  6,  '64;  Danvers;  pro.  2d  Lt.;  transf.  to  Co.  G. 

Thomas  Cochran,  Sgt.;  21;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Richard  W.  Fuller,  Sgt,;  21;  Dec.  8,  '63;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Timothy  W.  Hawkes,  Sgt.;  26;  Jan.  6,  '64;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  D,  Dec.  28,  '64. 

Joseph  G.  Martin,  Sgt,;  37;  Feb.  29,  '64;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  G,  Mar.  4,  '65. 

John  R.  Nelson,  Sgt,;  21;  Dec.  24,  '63;  Foxboro;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

John  F.  Wells,  Sgt.;  26;  Jan.  2,  '64;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Thomas  S.  Clymonts,  Corp.;  21;  Dec.  5,  '63;  New  Bedford;  transf.  to  Co.  H.,  Mar.  4,  '65. 

Joseph  Cooper,  Corp.;  42;  Feb.  17,  '64;  Boston;   M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Solomon  Martin,  Corp.;  20;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Newburyport;  transf.  to  Co.  D,  Dec.  28,  '64. 

Charles  F.  Meader,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  H,  Mar.  4,  '65. 

Joseph  E.  Mills,  Corp.;  20;  Dec.  4,  '63;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Jonas  S.  Monroe,  Corp.;  32;  Feb.  22,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

John  B.  Moores,  Corp.;  28;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  G,  Mar.  4,  '65. 

Fred  A.  Nourse,  Corp.;  22;  Jan.  14,  '62;  Marblehead;  pro.  Capt,  1st  N.  C.  Colored  U.  Vols. 
Sept,  19,  '64. 

William  H.  Ogden,  Corp.;  23;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  G. 

William  Pollett,  Corp.;  21 ;  Dec.  29,  '63;  Fall  River;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 


268  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Thomas  Ray,  Corp.;  28;  Feb.  9,  '64;  Fall  River;  killed  in  action  Mar.  8,  '65,  Kinston,  N.  C. 

Patrick  Sexton,  Corp.;  22;  Jan.  2,  '64;  Danvcrs;  transf.  to  Co.  C. 

Jacob  Schanks,  Corp.;  22;  Dec.  5,  '63;  Ipswich;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Simon  Steele,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  July  29,  '65. 

Aaron  Warhurst,  Corp.;  30;  Dec.  23,  '63;  Nevvburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Charles  F.  Wells,  Corp.;  20;  Feb.  18,  '64;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Abel  R.  Wilson,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

John  C.  Kinsman,  Corp.;  29;  Dec.  4,  '63;  Boston;  deserted  Nov.  9,  '64. 

Henry  Foster,  Musician;  18;  Feb.  19,  '64;  Cambridge;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 

Hiram  T.  Foster,  Musician;  20;  Dec.  10,  '63;  Cambridge;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Charles  Hartman,  Musician;  20;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 

George  C.  Wilson,  Musician;  20;  Jan.  4, '64;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11, '65. 

George    Austin,  Private;     42;     Sept.  3,    '64;     Taunton;     transf.  from    2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Bailey,  Private;    21;    Aug.  8,   '64;    Orange;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;    disch. 

June  21,   '65. 

Horace  Baldwin,  Private;  44;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Abraham  Barrett,  Private;  26;  Jan.  4,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  B.  Blodgett,  Private;  24;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Sturbridge;  d.  Feb.  25,  '65,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Patrick  Bohan,  Private;  24;  Jan.  15,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Frank  Brady,  Private;  20;  Dec.  9,  '63;  Lawrence;  deserted  July,  '64. 
Patrick  Buckley,  Private;  24;  Mar.  6,  '65;  Salem;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Edward  R.  Bugbee,  Private;    29;    Sept.  10,  '64;    Holliston;    transf.  from   2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Patrick  Burke,  Private;  30;  Feb.  29,  '64;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Burke,  Private;  24;  Dec.  13,  '63;  Haverhill;  deserted  Mar.  30,  '65. 
William  Byrne,  Private;  24;  Feb.  13,  '64;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  Chambers,  Private;  26;  Dec.  4,  '63;  Chelsea;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  N.  Chase,  Private;  27;   Sept.  17,  '64;    Shrewsbury;   transf.  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;    disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Charles  A.  Cheever,  Private;  38;  Jan.  18,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 
Philo  Clark,  Private;  39;  Feb.  4,  '65;  Huntington;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
David  Cole,  Private;  28;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Chelsea;  disch.  June  26,  '65. 
Joseph  H.  Coley,  Private;  20;  Dec.  5,  '63;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  R.  Crawford,  Private;  21;  Dec.  10,  '63;  Danvers;  deserted  Nov.  16,  '64. 
William  Crockett,  Private;  25;  Jan.  4,  '65;  Springfield;  deserted  June  30,  '65. 
William  H.  Cruse,  Private;  27;  Dec.  7,  '63;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  L.  Cunningham,  Private;  38;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Joseph  F.  Dakin,  Private;  29;  Jan.  1,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Richard  Davis,  Private;    22;    Aug.  22,  '64;    Easthampton;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.    H.  Art.; 

M.O.July  11,  '65. 

George  H.  Dole,  Private;  30;  Dec.  1,  '63;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Fahey,  Private;  45;  Feb.  1,  '64;  Lynn;  d.  June  28,  '65,  at  Greensboro,  N.  C. 
George  Fish,  Private;  45;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Holliston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Patrick  Gaynor,  Private;  32;  Dec.  30,  '63;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  E.  Gilman,  Private;  33;  1/64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
David  Gleason,  Private;  43;  Feb.  16,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  Gleason,  Private;  21;  Dec.  28,  '63;  Fall  River;  deserted  Nov.  9,  '64. 
Joseph  Godfrey,  Private;  22;  Dec.  23,  '63;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Aaron  Guilford,  Private;  25;  Dec.  15,  '63;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Horace  Hamblet,  Private;  21;    Aug.  1,  '64;    Newburyport;    transf.  from   2d   Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.  O.July  11,  '65. 
John  Haskins,  Private;  45;  Dec.  26,  '63;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 


COMPANY  B;  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  269 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Thomas  Henry,  Private;   20;    Aug.  16,  '64;    Boston;    transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;    M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 

Thomas  Hessan,  Private;  35;  Dec.  28,  '63;  Salisbury;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Hickey,  Private;  21;  Feb.  15,  '65;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Patrick  Hill,  Private;  22;  Feb.  13,  '64;  Lawrence;  d.  May  5,  '65,  at  Beaufort,  N.  C. 
Richard  Higston,  Private;  45;  Jan.  15,  '64;  Lynn;  d.  June  6,  '65,  at  Greensboro,  N.  C. 
Sewall  B.  Holbrook,  Private;  20;  July  5,  '64;  Milford;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  W.  Hurd,  Private;   27;   Sept.  7,  '64;   \Voburn;   transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;   disch. 

June  30,   '65. 

George  C.  Irish,  Private;  26;  Dec.  2,  '63;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  H.  Kiely,  Private;  20;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Marblehead;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  H.  Lane,  Private;  21;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Southampton;  transf .  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

transf.  to  Co.  D. 
James  Lee,  Private;    28;    Sept.  9,   '64;    Danvers;     transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art;    disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

John  Lee,  Private;  22;  Mar.  12,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Leonard,  Private;  35;  Feb.  2,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Long,  Private;  23;  Dec.  27,  '63;  Blackstone;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Michael  Lynch,  Private;  18;  Nov.  26,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  McDermott,  Private;  30;  Jan.  2,  '64;  Chelmsford;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  H.  Mclntire,  Private;  21;  Feb.  27,  '65;  Salem;  deserted  June  19,  '65. 
Philip  McMahon,  Private;  31;  Jan.  26,  '64;  Melrose;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Luther  Moritz,  Private;  25;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Andrew  Millan,  Private;  26;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

(also  known  as  Mullen.) 
James  B.  Murphy,    Private;    20;    Sept.  2,   '64;    Milton;    transf.  from  2d    Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,   '65. 

Thomas  Murphy,  Private;  25;  July  6,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  Norris,  Private;  35;  Dec.  26,  '63;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Maurice  O'Riley,  Private;  24;  Dec.  26,  '63;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Oliver  Parker,  Private;  22;  Dec.  15,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  d.  Oct.  3,  '64,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Henry  Parks,  Private;  23;  Jan.  18,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  16,  '65. 
James  M.  Patterson,  Private;  41;  Dec.  11,  '63;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
David  Pettingill,  Private;  35;  Sept,  24,  '64;  Hingham;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
George  Pitman,  Private;  36;  Feb.  15,  '64;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Nathaniel  A.  Pope,  Private;  23;  Oct.  19.  '64;  Roxbury;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
Sylvester  Powell,  Private;  27;  Jan.  19,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Frank  Powers,  Private;  22;  Feb.  11,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Purtill,  Private;  42;  Dec.  10,  '63;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  17,  '65. 
Joseph  Quinn,  Private;  20;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Salem;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
George  B.  Reed,  Private;  18;  Jan.  15,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Albert  Remington,  Private;  22;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Sturbridge;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  Riley,  Private;  27;  Dec.  27,  '63;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  A.  Rogers,  Private;  23;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Marblehead;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Joseph  Roland,  Private;  37;  Jan.  6,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65 
William  B.  Sargent,  Private;  39;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Joseph  E.  Smith,  Private;  39;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Allen  Soper,  Private;  31;  Feb.  25,  '65;  Marblehead;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Simon  S.  Steele,  Private;  19;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  July  29,  '65. 
James  P.  Stevens,  Private;  30;  Jan.  5,  '65;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Bartholomew  Sullivan,  Private;  25;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Lynnfield;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Philip  Sullivan,  Private;  22:  Sept.  23,  '64;  Danvers;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Ezra  Tennant,  Private;  22;  Oct.  27,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65 
John  Thedford,  Private;  37;  Mar.  9,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 


270  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Charles  A.  Thresher,  Private;  20;  Dec.  22,  '63;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Wilbur  Whiton,  Private;  27;  Jan.  24,  '65;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

George  H.  Whittemore,  Private;  21;  Nov.  12,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

William  Wilson,  Private;  25;  Mar.  12,  '64;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

John  S.  Winslow,  Private;  28;  Feb.  22,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Willard  Winslow,  Private;  24;  Feb.  22,  '64;  Lynn;  disch.  June  15,  '65. 

Hugh  Young,  Private;  23;  Feb.  22,  '64;  Hopkinton;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 


COMPANY  "C",  NEW  ORGANIZATION 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

John  E.  Mullally,  Captain;  24;  Dec.  29,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  commissioned  Major,  June  16,  '65; 

M.  O.  as  Captain  July  11,  '65. 
Joseph  A.  Moore,  1st  Lt.;  21;  Aug.  30,  '64;  Gloucester;  appointed  Adjt.  Jan.  3,  '65;  transf. 

to  Field  and  Staff. 
Malcolm  Sillars,  2d  Lt.;  26;  July  22,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  pro.  1st  Lt.  March  4,  '65;  transf.  to 

Co.H. 
Edward  P.  Getting,  2d.  Lt.;  27;  March.  4,  '65;  Worcester;  commissioned  1st  Lt.  June  16, 

'65 ;  M.  O.  as  2d  Lt.  July  1 1 ,  '65. 

Uriah  Robertson,  1st  Sgt.;  28;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Danvers;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Mar.  4,  '64;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 
Henry  G.  Hyde,  1st  Sgt.;  21;  Feb.  29,  '64;  Danvers;  pro.  2d  Lt.  Sept.  1,  '64;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 
Brotherton  Martin,  1st  Sgt.;  23;  Dec.  5,  '64;  Newburyport;  com.  2d  Lt.  June  1,  '65;  M.  O. 

as  1st  Sgt.  July  11, '65. 

Levi  Cox,  Sgt.;  39;  Dec.  19,  '63;  Maiden;  d.  Nov.  7,  '64  while  on  furlough  in  Mass. 
George  Elwell,  Sgt.;  33;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Rockport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Dominick  Kenny,  Sgt.;  31;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Patrick  Moloney,  Sgt.;  26;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Stoneham;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Edwin  A.  Moulton,  Sgt.;  23;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Amesbury;  transf.  to  N.  C.  S.  as  Commissary  Sgt. 
Ariel  S.  Noyes,  Sgt.;  34;  Feb.  16,  '64;  Haverhill;  wounded  Mar.  8,  '65;  disch.  June  21,  '65. 
Charles  E.  Barry,  Corp.;  20;  Dec.  15,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Henry  A.  Cook,  Corp.;  21;  Dec.  30,  '63;  Gloucester;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  H.  Davis,  Corp.;  26;  Dec.  27,  '63;  Rockport;  transf.  to  Co.  F. 
Patrick Fallon,  Corp.;  24;  Mar.  14,  '64;  Quincy;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Graham,  Corp.;  31;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Chelsea;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
Frank  McLaughlin,  Corp.;  21;  Sept.  16,'64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  McGlinchy,  Corp.;  30;  Dec.  7,  '63;  Boston;  disch.  Aug.  10,  '65. 
John  F.  Mills,  Corp.;  25;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Bradford;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
Patrick  Nalty,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  5,  '64;  West  Newbury;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
George  Pitman,  Jr.,  Corp.;  20;  Feb.  26,  '64;  Danvers;  disch.  June  28,  '65. 
Henry  B.  Skinner,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  4,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Peter  J.  Soley,  Corp.;  25;  Jan.  2,  '64;  Haverhill;  deserted  Nov.  10,  '64. 
Joseph  A.  Welch,  Corp.;  24;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
Charles  M.  Woodbury,  Corp.;  22;  Dec.  12,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  d.  June  8,  '65  in  McDougal 

Hosp'l,  New  York  City. 

Thomas  Hancock,  Musician;  21;  Feb.  15,  '64;  Chelsea;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Samuel  E.  Tucker,  Musician;  18;  Jan.  5,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Acton,  Private;  30;  Dec.  25,  '63;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  F.  Blaisdell,  Private;  24;  Feb.  28,  '64;  Woburn;  d.  of  wounds  Mar.  14,  '65,  at  New- 

bern,  N.  C. 
Michael  Brannigan,  Private;  20;  Dec.  12,  '63;  Woburn;  d.  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  July  19, 

'64;  No.  ofgr.  3587. 


COMPANY  C,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  271 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

John  Brown,  Private;  40;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Hawley;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 

Nicholas  Brown,  Private;  24;  Nov.  15,  "64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
Warren  A.  Burpee,  Private;  30;  Dec.  29,  '63;  Gloucester;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
James  A.  Byrne,  Private ;  37 ;  Dec.  1 1 ,  '63 ;  Danvers ;  lost  at  sea,  June  7,  '65. 
Thomas  Caine,  Private;  33;  Feb.  25,  '64;  Amesbury;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Lawrence  Call,  Private;  21;  Oct.  8,  '64;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Dennis  Cashman,  Private;  18;  Jan.  18,  '64;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '66. 
Paul  Chagnette,  Private;  28;  Sept.  9,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Coffey,  Private;  21;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
George  W.  Coleman,  Private;  25;  Nov.  10,  '63;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Conboy,  Private;  21;  Aug.  22,  '64;  Roxbury;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Cyrus  W.  Crocker  Private;  35;  Sept.  20,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
James  Cunningham,  Private;  35;  Jan.  12,  '65;  Taunton;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Curran,  Private;  23;  Oct.  10,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Michael  Curtin,  Private;  23;  July  29,  '64;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Theodore  Curtis,  Private;  30;  Dec.  3,  '63;  Saugus;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  D.  Curtis,  Private;  18;  Dec.  3,  '63;  Saugus;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Dailey,  Private;  21;  July  23,  '64;  Chelsea;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11, '65. 

Caleb  Davis,  3d,  Private;  21;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Lowell;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Charles  H.  Davis,  Private;  21;  Feb.  2,  '64;  Andover;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Henry  M.  Derx,  Private;  19;  Dec.  26,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Peter  Devine,  Private;  18;  Nov.  17,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  Doody,  Private;  25;  Aug.  17,  '64;  Lawrence;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
William  H.  Eaton,  Private;  18;  Jan.  13,  '  64;  Lynn;  disch.  July  29,  '65. 
William  Ellison,  Private;  22;  Jan.  4,  '62;  Saugus;  disch.  Jan.  4,  '65;  expir.  of  term. 
Martin  Fallon,  Private;  39;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Newburyport;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
George  W.  Flint,  Private;  18;  Dec.  31,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  June  7,  '65. 
Warren  A.  Flint,  Private;  44;  Dec.  31,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  June  17,  '65. 
Enos  Floyd,  Private;  43;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Newburyport;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Daniel  Flye,  Private;  23;  Feb.  13,  '64;  Saugus;  d.  July  6,  '65,  at  Raleigh,  N.  C. 
Lawrence  Fox,  Private;  43;  Oct.  15,  '64;  Danvers;M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Fraher,  Private;  25;  Dec.  29,  '63;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Townsend  P.  George,  Private;  21;  July  26,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Peter  Godfrey,  Private;  27;  April  12,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Joshua  Grant,  Private;  34;  Sept.  26,  '64;  Amesbury ;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
William  Green,  Private;  19;  Feb.  14,  '65;  Mendon;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Stephen  S.  Hall,  Private;  29;  June  30,  '64;  Uptom;  disch.  July  24,  '65. 
John  Harkins,  Jr.,  Private;  18;  Oct.  26,  '64;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Hart,  Private;  20;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Salem;  M.  O.July  11,  '65. 

Alfred  Hopkirk,  Private;  23;  Dec.  1,  '63;  Wenham;  d.  Oct.  1,  '64,  while  on  veteran  furlough. 
William  Howard,  Private;  21;  Sept.  24,  '64;  East  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Hawks,  Private;  21;  Aug.  13,  '64;  Newburyport;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Nelson  Hughes,  Private;  21;  Aug.  9,  '64;  Boston;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;    M.  O. 

July  11, '65. 

Albert  Jeffers,  Private;  42;  Jan.  13,  '64;  Lynn;  disch.  July  25,  '65. 
George  W.  Jeffers,  Private;  18;  Jan.  13,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  H.  Jeffers,  Private;  20;  Jan.  13,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Kelly,  Private;  25;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Roxbury;  disch.  Feb.  10,  '65;  expir.  of  term. 
Thomas  J.  Kelley,  Private;  32;  Nov.  20,  '63;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  W.  Kenney,  Private;  35;  Feb.  22,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  Jully  11,  '65. 
John  Kirby,  Private;  19;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Taunton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt  H.  Art.  disch.  July 

27,  '65. 


272  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  HANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

David  B.  Lowe,  Private;  22;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Gloucester;  absent,  sick  at  M.  O.;  no  fur.  rec. 

Michael  Lynch,  Private;  18;  Nov.  26,  64;  Boston;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 

George  H.  Mabee,  Private;  24;  Dec.  3,  '63;  Roxbury,  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Dennis  Mahoney,  Private;  27;  Nov.  22,  '61;  Boston;  disch.  Nov.  17,  '64;  expir.  of  term. 

William  H.  Martin,  Private;  18;;  Oct.  21,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

James  J.  McCormick,  Private;  22;  Jan.  28,  '62;  Lynn;  disch.  Jan.  27,  '65;  expir.  of  term. 

Henry  McGaffey,  Private;  28;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Benjamin  Miller,  Jr.,  Private;  30;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Charles  A.  Miner,  Private;  18;  Sept.  13,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

EstwickMorrill,  Private;  30;  July  11,  '64;  Salisbury;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Lewis  J.  Morrill,  Private;  26;  Dec.  21,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

George  Morley,  Private;  40;  Mar.  6,  '65;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Daniel  Murphy,  Private;  24;  Aug.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Owen  Murphy,  Private;  28;  Spt.  20,  '64;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 

Timothy  Murphy,  Private;  34;  Sept  17,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Algernon  S.  Nicholas,  Private;   18;  Dec.  26, '63;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  N.  C.  S.   as  Hosp'l 

Steward. 

James  Nulty,  Private;  18;  Dec.  31,  '63;  Amesbury ;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  O'Brien,  Private;  34;  Jan.  1,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  H.  Paisley,  Private;  32;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Salisbury;  pris.  Feb.  1,  '64;  d.  in   Anderson- 

ville,  Ga.,  Apr.  17,  '64;  No.  of  gr.  598. 

Charles  E.  Pangborn,  Private;  19;  Aug.  19,  '64;  Fitchburg;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  H.  Pendexter,  Private;  26;  Feb.  22,  '64;  Lynn;  disch.  July  15,  '65. 
George  W.  Pevere,  Private;  23;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Walter  S.  Philbrick,  Private;  30;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30, '65. 
Warren  C.  Philbrick,  Private;  36;  Feb.  25,  '64;  Lynn;  disch.  July  12,  '65. 
Nathaniel  A.  Pope,  Private;  26;  Oct.  19,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  to  Co.  D. 
John  W.  Quimby,  Private;  25;  Sept,  19,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Milton  Raddin,  Private;  18;  Dec.  31,  '63;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Jay  Rascot,  Private;  24;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch  June  30,  '65. 
Francis  H.  Rathburn,  Private;  27;    Sept.  5,  '64;    Marlblehead;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H. 

Art. ;  d.  Apr.  12,  '65  on  Steamer  "Escort.' ' 

Ezra  Remington,  Private;  18;  May  29,  '64;  Sturbridge;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Edward  Ring,  Private;  34;  Dec.  24,  '63;  Brighton;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Henry  S.  Robinson,  Private;  18;  Oct.  21,    '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  Robinson,  Private;  27;  Feb.  24,  '65;  Danvers;  M-.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Albert  M.  Sargent,  Private;  24;  Sept.  13,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30, '65. 
George  W.  Stanwood,  Private;  21 ;  Sept.  7,  '64;  Newburyport;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Calvin  B.  Stockbridge,  Private;  36;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Phillip  Sullivan,  Private;  22;  Sept.  23,  '64;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 
Patrick  Toomey,  Private;  25;  Dec.  26,  '63,  Woburn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  Tracy,  Private;  29;  Aug.  5,  '64;  Salem;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  H.  Tucker,  Private;  42;  Nov.  19,  '63;  Salem;  disch.  July  20,  '65. 
William  F.  White,  Private;  44;  Aug.  30,  '64;  Framingham;   transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Wellington  S.  White,  Private;  20;  Aug.  30,  '64;  Framingham;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

John  F.  Wilbur,  Private;  21;  Aug.  5,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  S.  Winslow,  Private;  28;  Feb.  22,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 
Willard  Winslow,  Private;  24;  July  14,  '63;  Lawrence;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 
Edmund  E.  Woodward,  Private;  24;  July  14,  '63;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Hugh  Young,  Private;  23;  Feb.  22,  '64;  Hopkinton;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 


COMPANY  D,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  273 

COMPANY  "D",  NEW  ORGANIZATION 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Lewis  Cauri,    Captain;  24;  Mar.  4,  '65;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Lewis  Cann,  1st  Lt.;  24;  Nov.  20,  '64;  Danvers;  pro.  Captain  March  4,  '65. 

Timothy  Hawks,  2d  Lt.;  28;  Apr   20,  '65;  Danvers;  commissioned  1st  Lt.  June  1,   '65; 

M.O.July  11,  '65  as  2d  Lt. 
Joseph  A.Welch,  1st  Sgt.;  24;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Haverhill;  commissioned  2d  Lt.,  June  1,  '65; 

M.  O.July  11,  '65  as  1st  Sgt. 

Leonard  W.  Phillips,  1st  Sgt.;23;  Jan.  25, '62;  Bradford;  transf.  to  Co.  H.  Feb.  25,  '65. 
Albert  F.  Austin,  Sgt.;  23;  Jan.  4  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Henry  Holland,  Sgt. ;  23 ;  Jan.  10,  '62 ;  Waltham ;  disch.  Jan.  9,  '65,  expir.  of  term. 
Solomon  Martin,  Sgt.;  20;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Patrick  Nalty,  Sgt,;  21 ;  Jan.  4,  '64;  WestNewbury;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  T.  Parks,  Sgt.;  26;  Nov.  17/64;  Newburyport;  disch.  July  22,  '65. 
Melville  Maley,  Sgt.;  21 ;  Sept,  20,  '64;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  H. 
Charles  G.  Allen,  Corp.;  22;  Sept.  7,  '64;  Sandisfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  d.  of 

wounds  Apr.  1,  '65. 
John  Condon,  Corp.;  26;  Sept.  2,   '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30, '65. 

Jacob  Galucia,  Corp.;18;  Nov.  4,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  Nov.  5,  '64,  expir.  of  term. 
John  Graham,  Corp.;  31;  Feb.  10,  62;  Chelsea;  disch.  Feb  11,  '65  expir.  of  term. 
Albert  F.  Johnson,  Corp.;  22;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Enfield;  transf .  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
George  W.  Jones,  Corp.;  19;  Sept.  10  '64;  Chicopee;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  digch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  McCormack,  Corp.;  22;  Nov.  20,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  Nov.  21, '64,  as  "James"; 

expir.  of  term. 
Thomas  S.  McKenna,  Corp.;  25;  Sept.  16, '64;  Boston;  disch.  June  30,  '65;  transf.  from  2d 

H.  Art. 
Edward  D.  Metcalf,  Corp.  25;  Sept,  3,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  5,  '65. 
George    A.  Metcalf,  Corp.;  28;  Sept,  3,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

John  F.  Mills,  Corp. ;  25 ;  Jan.  1 ,  '64 ;  Bradford ;  disch.  July  27,  '65. 
Frank  B.  Poison,  Corp.;  20;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Lowell;     d.  Aug.  28,  '64  in  Anderson ville,  Ga.; 

No.  ofgr.  7080. 
James  A.  White,  Corp.;  19;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Acushnet;  disch.  June  30,  '65;  transf.  from  2d 

Regt.  H.  Art. 

Edward  G.  Boyle,  Musician;  18;  Feb.  14/64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Groom,  Musician;  18;  Jan.  4,  '62;  Lowell;  disch.  Jan.  4,  '65,  expir.  of  term. 
George  A.  Johnson,  Musician;  19;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Maiden;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  W.  Twitchell,  Musician;  23;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Chelsea;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Aug.  12, 

'64;gr.  No.  5428. 
Samuel  Whittaker,  Musician;  27;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Boston;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Apr.  20,  '64; 

No.  of  Gr.  635. 
William  Allen,  Private;  21;  Sept  7,  '64;  Sandisfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt  H.  Art  ;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

James  Anderson,  Private;  26;  Jan.  23,  '62;  Medford;  disch.  Jan.  22,  '65;  expir.  of  term. 
George  A  twill,  Private;  23;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Taunton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
James  W.  Barry,  Private;  44;  Sept.  7,  '64;  Great  Barrington;  transf .  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
George  W.  Bean,  Private;  24;  Sept,  3,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 


274  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR  CREDIT. 

Charles  Bishop,  Private;  19;  Aug.  6,  '64;  Chelsea;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  27,  '65. 
Lucius  L.  Bonney,  Private;  25;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Marshfield ;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

d.  at  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  May  15,  '65. 
James  Boyle,  Private;  21;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Lynn;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30 '65. 
Matthew  Boyle,  Private;  26;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Blackstone;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Thomas  C.  Boyle,  Private;  33;   July,  4,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  April  10,  '65. 
William  H.  Briggs,  Private;  24;  Sept.  13,  64;  Quincy;  transf  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Benjamin  H.  Britton,  Private;  31;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Marlboro;  disch.  June  30,  '65;  transf.  from 

2d  Regt.  H.  Art. 
William  Broderick,  Private;  18;  Sept.  7,  '64;  Great  Barrington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Curtis  H.  Brown,  Private;  35;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Granby;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  d.  at 

Newbern,  N.  C.  Mar.  31,  '65. 

Nichols  Brown,  Private;  24;  Nov.  15,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  E.  Burwell,  Private;  38;  Aug.  31,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Joseph  Campbell,  Private;  28;  Dec.  5,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  disch.  Jan.  7,  '65,  expir.  of  term. 
William  H.  Campbell,  Private;  31;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Chelsea;  disch.  Jan.  31,  '65,  expir.  of  term. 
William  H.  Carleton,  Private;  22;  Sept.  10,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

William  Carter,  Private;  32;  March  6,  '65;  So.  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  H.  Chamberlin,  Private;  21;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Natick;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
William  R.  Champlin,  Private;  21;  Sept.  16,  '64;  Granville;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Charles  A.  Chesley,  Private;  21;  July  29,  '64;   Newburyport;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,; 

d.  May  28,  '65. 
Thomas  Clark,  Private;  22;  July  27,  '64;  Boston;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  deserted 

July  1,  '65. 
John  Cobley,  Private;  32;  Aug.  26,  '64;  Sturbridge;  disch.  June  30,  '65;  transf.  from  2d 

Regt.  H.  Art. 

Reuben  H.  Coffin,  Private;  29;  Jan.  27,  '62;  Danvers;  disch.  Jan.  27,  '65;  expir.  of  term. 
Pardon  H.  Corey,  Private;  27;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Mendon;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30/65. 
William  L.  Crosby,  Private;  31;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Ira Currie,  Private;  18;  Sept,  1,  '64;  Enfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  May  25, '65. 
Michael  Curtin,  Private;  23;  July  29,  '64;  Lawrence;  transf.  to  Co.  C.;  transf.  from  2d 

H.  Art. 
William  H.  Daily,  Private;  21;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30, '65. 
Gardner  M.  Dean,  Private;    19;  Sept.  2, '64;    Dracut;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  25,  '65. 
Frederick  A.  Delano,  Private;  34;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Marshfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  July  3,  '65. 
Samuel  A.  Dolliber,  Private;  20;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Marblehead;  d.  Jan  1,  '65  in  Anderson ville, 

Ga.;No.ofgr.,3579. 
Daniel  G.  Donovan,  Private;  41;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

diach.  June  30,  '65. 


COMPANY  D,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  275 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

George  Drury,  Private;  18;  Aug.  25,  '64;  Grafton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;   disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
John    Duffy,  Private;  19;    Sept.  13,  '64;  Westfield;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Dwelley,  Private;  39;  Sept.  7,  '64;  Fall  River;  transf.  from  2d  Regt  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Joel  W.  P.  Evans,  Private;  22;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Chelsea;  disch.  June  30,  '65,  expir.  of  term. 
William  Fay,  Private;  25;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 

Robert  M.  Field,  Private;  35;  Dec.  8,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  Finnerty,  Private;  23;  Feb.  15,  '62;  Danvers;  disch.  Feb.  14,  '65;  expir.  of  term. 
John  G.  Fish,  Private;    39;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Marshfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Nahum  Fisher,  Private;  29;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Marlboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Henry  F.  Ford,  Private;  22;  Sept.  3, '64;  Marshfield  ;transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  L.  Graham,  Private;  18;  Aug.  29  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Loring  Graves,  Private;  35;  March  26,  '62;  Chicopee;  disch.  Mar.  25,  '65,  expir.  of  term. 
Michael  Guynan,  Private;  35;  Feb.  10,  '62;  Fall  River;  disch.  Feb.  10,  '65,  expir.  of  term. 
William  D.  Hayden,  Private;  21;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Chicopee;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
William  E.  Henrie,  Private;  30;  Dec.  5, '63;  Boston;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Jan.  1,  '65; 

grave  No.  3168. 
Edwin  J.  Horr,  Private;  21;  Aug.  27,  '64;  Dana;  transf.  from  2d   Regt.  H.  Art.;   disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
James  H.  Jones,  2d,  Private-  28;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Ashland;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
James  O.  Judkins,  Private:  29:  Sept.  7,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  W.  Keith,  Private;  24;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Enfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  25,  '65. 
Richard  Kennedy,  Private;  23;  Sept.  16,  '64;  Carlisle;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  diach. 

May  31, '65. 
John  Kilkelly,  Private:  20:  Sept.  17,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Kirby,  Private;  19;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Taunton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  transf. 

to  Co.  C. 
Charles  G.  Knox,  Private;  21;  Sept.  12, '64;  Chester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Michael  Kohane,  Private;  28;  Sept.  7,  '64;  Salem;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
William  H.  Lane,  Private;  21;  Sept.  6,  '61;  Southampton;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65;  transf.  from 

2d  Regt.  H.  Art 

Jeremiah  J.  Lee,  Private;  21;  Mar.  10,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  Mar.  9,  '65,  expir.  of  term. 
William  Llewellyn,  Private;  28;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Jeremiah  Looby,  Private;  24;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.  disch. 

June  30,  '68. 
Dennis  Mahoney,  Private;  23;  Sept.  8,  '64;  Bradford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Daniel  Mason,  Private;  26;  Jan.  10,  '62;  Haverhill  disch.  Jan.  9,  '65.  expir.  of  term. 


276  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

George  H.  McClellan,  Private;  21;  Sept,  5,  '64;  Salem;  transf.  from  2d.  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Dominick  McDavitt,  Private;  31;  Feb.  15,  '62;  Danvers;  disch.  Feb.  14,  '65.  expir.  of  term. 
Thomas    McEntee,  Private;   23;    Sept.  16,  '64;    Roxbury;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Daniel  McKenny,  Private;  21;  Dec.  12,  '64;  So.  Danvers;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.O.July  11, '65. 

John  W.  McKnight,  Private;  21;  Feb.  17, '62;  Newburyport;  disch.  Feb.  12, '65,  expir.  of  term. 
John  McMann,  Private;  24;  Feb  3, '62;  Boston;  absent  on  detached  service  at  M.O.  of  Regt., 

July  11, '65. 

Charles  E.  Mills,  Private;  19;  Feb.  28,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  Feb.  19,  '65,  expir.  of  term. 
George  E.  Moore,  Private;  27;  Feb.  9,  '65;  Danvers;  transf.  to  N.  C.  S.  as  principal  Musician. 
William  B.  Moulton,  Private;  18;  Oct.  19,  '61;  Lynn;  disch.  Oct.  18,  '64,  expir.  of  term. 
Humphrey  O'Leary,  Private;  20;  Nov.  26,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  F.  O'Riley,  Private;  19;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Groton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  30,  '65. 

Edgar  A.  Parker,  Private;  25;  Nov.  2,  '62;  Haverhill;  disch.  Nov.  1,  '64,  expir.  of  term. 
Edward  Pettes,  Private;  19;  Sept.  15,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art.;  disch.  June  30, 

'65. 
James  C.  Phillips,  Jr.,  Private;  26;    Sept.  3,   '64;  Marshfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H. 

Art.;  pris.  Mar.  8,  '65;  disch.  June 30,  '65. 
William  S.  Pike,  Private;  42;  Aug.  23,   '64;  Brookfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  R.  Art,; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Nathaniel  A.  Pope,  Private;  26;  Oct.  19,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  M.  Powers,  Private;  32;  Dec.  22, '63;  Medford;  transf .  to  Co.  C,  Mar.  26, '65,  absent 

pris.  of  war;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Aug.  17,  '65;  No.  of  gr.  4714. 
Charles  Quinn,  Private;    40;  Sept,  22,  '64;  Fall  River;  disch.  June  30,  '65;  transf.  from  2d 

Regt.  H.  Art. 
John  E.  Quinn,  Private;  21;  Dec.  31,  '63;  Boston;  captured  pris.  of  war  Feb.  1,  '64;  no  fur. 

rec.  A.  G.  O.,  Mass. 
Charles  Richards,  Private;  19;  Sept.  17,     '64;     Deerfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Henry  H.  Robbins,  Private;  35;  Jan.  31,  '62;  Lynn;  disch.  Jan.  28,  '65.,  expir.  of  term. 
Patrick  Ryan,  Private;  43;  Sept.  9,  '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Benjamin  F.  Savory,  Private;  18;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Marblehead;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Jeremiah  Shea,  Private;  35;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Sullivan,  Private;  21;   Sept.  10, '64;  Medford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
Charles  E.  Smith,  Private;  28;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Ashland;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch. 

July  22, '65. 
James  B.  Studley,  Private;  20;  Sept,  2,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  16,  '65. 
Eben  S.  Thomas,  Private;  44;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Marshfield;     transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30, '65. 

Nathaniel  J.  Thorns,  Private;  43;  Feb.  15,  '62;  Saugus;  disch.  Feb.  12/65,  expir.  of  term. 
William  H.  Tolman,  Private;  22;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Marshfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Patrick  Troy,  Private;  34;  Dec.  17,  '63;  Boston;    d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Jan.  1,  '65;  No. 

of  gr.  3848. 
Aaron  E.  Underwood,  Private;  42;  Sept.  15,  '64;  Milford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 


COMPANY  E,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  277 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Daniel  Wait,  Private;  44;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Thomas  Ward,  Private;  32;  Jan.  10,  '65;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Leroy  Warfield,  Private;  20;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Blandford;  transf .  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

George  Wentworth,  Private;  43;  Dec.  13,  '64;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  N.  Wheeler,  Private;  28;  Sept.   12,  '64;  Medford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Georgena  White,  Private;  22;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Marshfield;  transf.  from  2d  Reg.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
George  W.  Whitney,  Private;  18;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  May  24,  '65. 

Charles  D.  Williams,  Private;  37;  May  13,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Calvin  W.  Willis,  Private;  49;  Nov.  28/63;  Medford;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  July  17, 

'64;  no.  of  gr.  3469. 

Artemus  Wilson,  Private;  34;  Feb.  14,  '62;  Danvers;  disch.  Feb.  13,  '65,  expir.  of  term. 
Miles  Woodman,  Private;  42;  Nov.  14,  '61 ;  Boston;  transf.  from  Co.  A.;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Milio  Woodman,  Private;  42;  Dec.  8,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 


COMPANY  "E",  NEW  ORGANIZATION 

NAME.  HANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR   CREDIT. 

Henry  B.  Webber,  Capt.;  29;  Mar.  4,  '65;  Groveland;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Henry  C.  Hyde,  1st  Lt.;  22;  Mar.  4,  '65;  Danvers;  transf.  to  Co.  B,  June  30,  '65. 

John  G.  Cowan,  1st  Sgt,;  20;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Salisbury;  Com.  2d  Lt.  June  1,  '65;  M.  O.  July  11, 

'65;  as  1st  Sgt, 

Thomas  Davidson,  Sgt.;  19;  Dec.  28,  '63;  Wenham;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Adoniram  J.  Oilman,  Sgt.;  24;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Harry  K.  Herman,  Sgt.;  21;  21;  Jan.  26,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  1st  Battery  Light  Art.; 

M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Hugh  Strain,  Sgt.;  22;    Jan.  2,  '64;  Rockport;  disch,  July  22,  '65. 
Thomas  D.  Bassett,  Corp.;  20;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  Hy.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,   '65. 
Michael  J.  Donahue,  Corp.;  25;  Sept.  6, '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Robert  Ellis,  Corp.;  25;    Sept,  15/64;  Medford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,   '65. 

Samuel  J.  Ford,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
George  M.  Keen,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Medford;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  J.  Kelliher,  Corp.;  21;  Dec.  24,  '63;  Milford;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  D.  Mitchell,  Corp.;  23;  Feb.  29,  '64;  Groveland;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Michael  Tracy,  Corp.;    19;  Sept.  8,  '64;  Middleboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
William  Andrews,  Private;  24;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Medway:  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Reynold  Arnold,  Private;  36;  Sept,  9,  '64;  Attleboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
William  Bailey,  Private;  32;  Sept,  7,  '64;  Salem;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65;   transf.  from  2d  Regt, 

H.  Art. 
Allen  L.  Barringtoii,  Private;  34;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Colrain:  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 


278  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Anthony  Becume,  Private;  37;  Sept.  5,  '64;  West  Boylston,  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  W.  Bixby,  Private;  21;  Aug.  30.  '64;  Webster;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
John  E.  Boyle,  Private;  25;  Sept,  5,  '64;  Braintree;    transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;    disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
William  Brand,  Private;  21;  Sept.  9,   '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;    disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Joseph  J.  Brooks,  Private;  37;  Sept.   3,  '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Clement  P.  Brown,  Private;  18;  Sept.  8,  '64;  Seckonk;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
John  Brown,  Private;  21;  Sept.  8,   '64;  Middleboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Daniel  Buckley,  Private;  21;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Roxbury;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Henry  C.  Burgess,  Private;  30;  Sept  10,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Charles  Cadieux,  Private;  18;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Thomas  Callahan,  Private;  28;  Sept,  20,  '64;  Charlestown;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Peter  Campbell,  Private;  31;^Sept.  12,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
William  H.  Casmer,  Private;  21;  Sept.  18,  '64;  Chester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Jonathan  E.  Chaffee,  Private;  24;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Edward  B.  Chime,  Private;  31;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Marblehead;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Timothy  Connelly,  Private;  21;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  to  Co.  A. 
Timothy  Corco  an,  Private;  27;  Sept.  10,   '64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Henry  A.  Cowles,  Private;  20fAug.  31,  '64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Carleton  Creely,  Private ;_21;  Sept.  3,   '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Charles  H.  Crosby,  Private;  18;   Sept,  10,   '64;  No.  Bridgewater;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H. 

Art.;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Isaac  T.  Cushing,  Private;  18;  Apr.  6,   '64;  Acushnet;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
George  H.  Cutter,  Private;  24;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Southbridge;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,   '65. 
Richard  H.  Davis,  Private;  23;   Sept.  10,   '64;    Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
William  H.  Day,  Private;  27;  Sent,  13.  '64;  Cambridge;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
Michael  Duffy,  Private;  31;  Sept.  6,  '64:  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Kegt,  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Volney  H.  Dunbar,  Private;  19;  Sept.  10,  '64;  No.  Bridgewater;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H. 

Art,;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Stephen  Dunn,  Private;  44;  Aug.  26,  '64;  Sturb ridge;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Michael  Dwyer,  Private;  20;  Sept,  3,  '64;  Lawrence;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 


COMPANY  E,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  279 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Patrick  Dwyer,  Private;  28;  Sept.  20,  '64;  Marlboro; transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Michael  Fitzgerald,  Private;  25;  Sept.  14,  '64;  So.  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Murty  E.  Flemming,  Private;  28;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Boston;  prisoner  Feb.  1,  '64;  transf.  to  Co.  H, 

as  absent  prisoner  ;  d.  Apr.  1,  '64  at  Andersonville,  Ga.;  grave  No.  286. 
Patrick  Gorman,  Private;  29;  Sept.  20,   '64;  Cambridge;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Frederick  O.  Grout,  Private;  25;  Aug.  31,  '64;  Ashland;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
John  Haley,  Private;  21;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
Royal  Hammond,  Private;  21;  Sept.  6,   '64;  Winchester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Arthur  Hathaway,  Private;  19;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Dalton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Hills,   Private;    24;  Sept.   10,    '64;    Amherst;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  8,  '65. 
Aaron  H.  Holt,  Private;  42;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Phillipston;  trans,  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Webster  Hofses,  Private;  18;  Sept.  7,  '64;  Lunenburg;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Charles  Johnson,  Private;  22;  Feb.  3,  '65;  Milbury;  disch.  June  9,  '65. 
Orville  D.  Keis,  Private;  18;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Samuel  Kenny,  Private;  33;  Sept.  12,  '64;  Medford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,    '65. 
William  O.  Lynn,  Private;  20;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Holland;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Cornelius  Manley,  Private;  23;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Lexington;  tranf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Timothy  McCarthy,  Private;  IS;  Sept,  5, '64  Lexington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Luke  McGrath,  Private;    20;    Sept.  1,'64;  Lexington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Patrick  McQuade,  Private;  25;  Sept,  12,   '64;  Greenfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

John  H.  Messenger,  Private;  20;  Sept.  5,  '64;  West  Stockbridge;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
James  Monkhouse,  Private;  27;  Sept,  2,  '64;  Oakham;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Charles  M.  Morse,  Private;  19;  Sept.  9,  '64;  Attleboro;  disch.  June  30,  '65;  transf.  from  2d 

Regt.  H.  Art, 
James  Murphy,  Private;  42;  Sept,  6,  '64;  Easton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,   '65. 
James  Murray,  Private;  IS;  Sept,  5,  '64;  So.  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Joel  H.  Nash,  Private;  37;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Greenfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.  disch. 

May  19,   '65. 
Matthew  Noland,  Private;  20;  Sept,  1,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Henry  L.  Norris,  Private;  24;  Sept,  6,  '64;  Reading;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Albert  F.  Parker,  Private;  IS;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Townsend;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 


280  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR  CREDIT. 

George  E.  Peck,  Private;  19;  Sept.  10,  '64;  No.  Bridgewater;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Edward  B.  Pike,  Private;  23;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Canton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Albert  T.  Poole,  Private;  28;  Sept,  5,  '64;  Braintree;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  F.  Poole,  Private;  42;  Sept.  5,   '64;  Braintree;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Edward  O.  Randall,  Private;  27;  Sept,  1,  '64;  Enfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Peter  Rice,  Private;  38;   Sept,  7,  '64;  Greenfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
William  A.  Rich,  Private;  40;  Sept,  5,  '64;  Northboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Charles  E.  Ricker,  Private;  32;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Newton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,    '65. 
Alfred  Riley,  Private;  19;  Sept,  2,  '64;  Northampton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,    '65. 
William  Ritchie,  Private;  19;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Stoneham;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
John  Russell,  Private;  23;  Sept.  8/64:  Woburn;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,   '65. 
Alphonso  Sargent,  Private;  18;  Sept.  17,   '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Oscar  L.  Sawyer,  Private;  20;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Phillipston;  trausf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Augustus  Seleg,  Private;  25;  Aug.  30  '64;  Webster;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
James  Shoughrow,  Private;  18;  Aug.  29,   '64;  No.  Bridgewater;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H. 

Art,;  disch.  June  30,   '65. 
Charles  J.  Snow,  Private;  22;  Sept.  21,    '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
James  M.  Snow,  Private;  23;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

May  30,  '65. 
William  Stacy,  2d,  Private;  35;  Sept.  5,   '64;  Marblehead;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  May  29,   '65. 
John  Stone,  Private;  38;  Sept.  18,  '64;   Roxbury;  M.  O..July  11,  '65;   transf.  from  2d  Regt. 

H.  Art. 

William  Switzer,  Private;  27;  Sept,  6,  '64;  Woburn;  disch.  July  24,  '65. 
Martin  ('.  Thayer,  Private;  21;  Sept.  3,   '64;  Belchertown;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,   '65. 
James  Thomas,  Private;  25;  Sept,  12,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  transf. 

to  New  Co.  F. 
Peter  Toolen,  Private;  21;  Sept,  3,  '64;  Carlisle;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,    '65. 
Andrew  Toomey,  Private;  27;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Braintree;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,    '65. 
Joshua  Tucker,  Private;  19;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Dartmouth;  transf.  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

26,   '65. 
Albert  H.  M.  Tyler,  Private;  18;  Sept,  1,  '64;    Orange;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Frank  E.  Varnum,  Private;  19;  Sept,  20,    '64;  Falmouth;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
George  I).   White,  Private;   18;  Aug.  30,    '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.   H.   Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 


COMPANY  F,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  281 


COMPANY     F",  NEW  ORGANIZATION 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR   CREDIT. 

Charles  O.  Fellows,  Captain,  20;  Feb.  11,  '65;  Chelsea;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Eben  Simonds,  2d  Lt.,  24;  March  4,  '65;  Maldeu;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Thomas  James,  1st  Sgt.;  25;  Sept.  12,  '64;  Medford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  14,  '65. 
Joseph  G.  Kelly,  1st  Sgt. ;  35;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  commissioned  2d  Lt.,  June  16,  '65; 

M.O.July  11,  '65  as  1st  Sgt. 

William  H.  Davis,  Sgt.;  26;  Dec.  26,  '63;  Rockport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Andrew  P.  Lewis,  Sgt.;  22;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Benjamin  A.  Sargent,  Sgt.;  26;  Feb.  29,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Lewis  F.  Besse,  Corp.;  38;  Jan.  4,  '64;  No.  Chelsea;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  E.  Flanders,  Corp.;  20;  Dec.  7,  '63;  Salisbury;  M.  O,  July  11,  '65. 

Bernard  McGaw,  Corp. ;  21 ;  Aug.  23,  '64;  Mendon;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art. ;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Richard  Purtill,  Corp.;  18;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  B.  Simonds,  Corp.;  23;  Sept.  20,  '64;  Haverhill;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Michael  Sullivan,  Corp.  31 ;  Jan.  4,  '64;  Newburyport;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  H.  Tyler,  Musician;  20;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Wenham;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  C.  Allen,  Private;  22;  Sept.  7,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
James  P.  Beal,  Private;  20;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Lewis  W.  Benson,  Private;  18;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Brimfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
George  Bowers,    Private;  30;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  diach. 

June  30,  '65. 
Joseph  G.  Burns,  Private;  21;  Sept.  13,  '64;    Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Walter  Chamberlain,  Private;   33;   Sept.  3,   '64;  Middleboro;  disch.  June  30,   '65;   transf. 

from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art. 
Patrick  Council,  Private;  27;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
William   M.  C'omey,   Private;  24;  Sept.  2,   '64;  Franklin;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disfh.  June  30,  '65. 
Garrett    Condon,  Private;  21;  Sept.   1,  '64;  Maiden;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Leon  Coster,  Private;  39;     Sept.   1,  '64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  H.  Copp,  Private;  38;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Brookfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
James  Cox,  Private:  27;  Sept.   14,   '64;  Westboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Cunningham,  Private;  32;     Sept.  3,  '64;  Roxbury;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Daniel  Dailey,  Private;  21;  Sept.  7,  '64;  Lawrence;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Hiram  W.  Doane,  Private;  21;  Aug.  31,     '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

d.  in  Dale  U.  S.  Gen.  Hosp'l,  June  30,  '65. 
John  Dyer,  Private;  25;  Sept'   15,  '64;  Hopkinton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Farrell,  Private;  22;  Aug.  29,   '64;  Holyoke;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Xympha  P.  Felton,  Private;  39;     Aug.  5,  '64;  Westfield;  transf.     from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch,  June  30,  '65. 


282  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Edward  Fitzgerald,  Private;  18;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Holyoke;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Edward  Fraher,  Private;  30;  Mar.  15,  '65;  Lynn;  d.  June  27,  '65  at  Greensboro,  N.  C. 
George  M.  Fry-,  Private;  18;  Sept,  5,  '64;  Athol;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
Richard  Garvey,  Private;  44;  Aug.  3,  '64;  Roxbury;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  absent 

atM.  O.July  11,  '65. 
John  Gavin,  Private;  28;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Ashland;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
DeWitt  C.  Graves,  Private;  19;  Sept,  10,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
George  G.  Hall,  Private;  25;  Sept,  10,  '64;  Natick;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Charles  Hamilton,  Private;  35;  Aug.  23,  '64;  Brookfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Daniel  Harrington,  Private;  22;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Lee;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Appollas  Hathaway,  Private;  37;  Sept,  7,  '64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
George  H.  Hathorn,  Private;  23;  Aug.  29,  64;  Williamsburg;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Hannibal  A.  Hathorn,  Private;  20;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Williamsburg;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.; 

H.  Art,;  disch.  June  30, '65. 
Thomas  Henry,  Private;  30;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Webster;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30, '65. 
James  Jaques,  Private;  36;  Sept.  2,  '64;    Blackstone;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Lemuel  F.  Johnson,  Private;  29;  July  18,  '64;  Wrentham;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  17,  '65. 
William  Johnson,  Private;  27;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Concord;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  transf. 

toCo.H. 
Roland  R.  Joslyn,  Private;  23;  Sept,  2,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30, '65. 
Charles  R.  Kaplinger,  Private;  19;  Aug.  26,  '64;  Greenfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art,; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Kelly,  Private;  18;  Aug.  19,  '64;  Great  Barrington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Lawrence  Lane,  Private;  21;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Edward  R.  Lay.  Private;  30;  Aug.  24/64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2cl  Regt  H.  Art,;  disch, 

June  30,  '65. 
Charles  W.  Locke,  Private;  26;  Aug.  :  5,  '64;  Swanzey;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,; 

d.  March  26,  '65  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

Frank  Longdo,  Private;  IS;  July  29,  '64;  Wendall;  killed  in  action  Mar.  8,  '65. 
James  C.  Magoun,  Private;  19;  Aug.  31,  '64;  Pembroke;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Mahan,  Private;  24;  Sept.  15,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;     disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Timothy  Malony,  Private;  21;  Sept.  20,  '64;  Falmouth;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  McGrath,  Private;  28;  July  IS,  '64;  Douglas;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art,;  disch. 

May  25,  '65. 
Warren  E.  McKee,  Private;  21;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Woburn;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.: 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 


COMPANY  F,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  283 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR  CREDIT. 

John  Melvin,  Private;  27;  Aug.  23,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
John  W.  Miller,  Private;  30;  Aug.  26,  '64;  Williamsburg;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  July  27,  '65. 

Jonathan  H.  Miles,  Private;  24;  July  18,  '64;  Lynn;  disch.  May  25,  '65. 
Andrew  J.  Moore,  Private;  26;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Westfield;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  C.  Morse,  Private;  28;  Sept.  16,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Joseph  H.  Morse;  Private;  18;  Sept.  17/64.;  Boston;  transf  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  diach. 

June  30,  '65. 
Patrick  Navin,  Private;  27;  Sept.  21,  '64;  Chicopee;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11, '65. 
Alexander  Noble,  Private;  24;  Aug.   16,   '64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Patrick  O'Brien,  Private;  24;  Sept.  14,  '64;  Xo.  Bridgewater;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
William  H.  Phelps,  Private;  23;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Nathaniel  Phillips,  Private;  38;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Abington ;  transf .  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '63. 
John  Ragin,  Private;  21;  Sept.  14,  '64;  Hopkinton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
George  E.  Rand,  Private;   19;  Sept.  9,   '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Reardon,  Private;  29;  Sept,  20,  '64;  Fall  River;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11, '65. 
William  Rice,  Private;  35;  Aug.  25,  '64;  Brookfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Moses  G.  Robbins,  Private;  39;  Aug.  3,  '64;  Charlostown;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.; 

transf.  to  Co.  H. 
Benjamin  Roberts,  Private;  36;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

d.  June  25,  '65.  at  Greensboro,  N.  C. 

Thomas  J.  Russell,  Private;  22;  Sept,  6,  '64;  Nantucket;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Austin  Sackett,  Jr.,  Private;  26;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Peleg  Sampson,  Private;  44;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
Daniel  D.  Sanford,  Private;  17;  Sept.  10,  '64;    No.  Bridgewater;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H. 

Art, ;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Shaughnessy,  Private;  37;  Sept,  7,   '64;  Ashland;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,,  H.  Art,; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Francis  A.  Shaw,  Private;  31;  Sept,  5,   '64;  Brookfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Slatterly,  Private;  25;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Hopkinton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Edward  Smith,  Private;  18;  Sept,  19, '64;  Great  Barrington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  15,  '65. 
Warren  F.  Smith,  Private;  43;  Aug.  12,  '64;    Methuen;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.: 

disch.  May  26,  '65. 
Augustus  Snell,  Private;  37;  Aug.  26,  '64;  Sturbridge;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  discb. 

June  30,  '65. 
Edward  W.  Spencer,  Private;  31;  Sept,  10,  '64;  No.  Bridgewater;  transf.  from   2d  Regt. 

H.  Art.;  disch.  June  1, '65. 
William  L.  Stagg,  Private;  25;  Sept.  13,  '64:  Towsend;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H    Art.; 

killed  in  action  Mar.  8,  '65. 


284  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR   CREDIT. 

John  Taylor,  Private;  33;  July  26,  '64;    Pepperell;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.    H.  Art.;  disch. 

Tune  8,  '65. 
Charles  E.  Thompson,  Private;  26;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Greenwich;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
William  S.  Thorp,  Private;  2S;  Aug.  24,   '64;  Westfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,   H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  10,  '65. 
John  Toomey,  Private;  26;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Hopkinton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.:  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Francis  A.  Tuck,  Private;  21;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Colrain;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Wright  Walker,  Private;  22;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Ashland;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,;  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  M.  Watts,  Private;  23;  Sept.  15,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  Irom  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  14, '65. 
John  Welch,  Private;  21;    Sept.  5,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;   disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
George  W.  Wheeler,  Private;  24;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Greenwich;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,;  H.  Art.; 

disch.  Aug.  12,  '65. 
Jonathan  W.  Whitney,  Private;  42;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Huhbardston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H. 

Art.;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Charles  M.  Whittemore,  Private;  21;  Aug.  26,  '64;  Sturbridge;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H. 

rt. ;  d.  Apr.  25,  '65,  at  Raleigh,  N.  C. 
William  T.  Wilcott,  Private;  18;  Sept,  3,  '64;  Brookfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art,; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Simeon  Young,  Private;  37;  Aug.  26,  '64;  Sturbridge;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Zahn,  Private;  20;  Sept,  20,  '64;  Roxbury;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 


COMPANY     G"  NEW  ORGANIZATION 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  EESIDENCE   OR   CREDIT. 

Thomas  R.  Keenan,  Capt;  27;  Feb.  23,  '65;  Lynnfield;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

James  Smith,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Dec.  20,  '64;  Danvers;  Com.  1st  Lt.,  June  1,  '65;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65, 

as  2d  Lt. 
Joseph  G.  Martin,  1st  Sgt.;    37;  Mar.  1,  '64;  Danvers;  Com.  2d  Lt.,  June  16,  '65;  M.  O.  July 

1,  '65,  as  1st  Sgt. 

Charles  F.  Meader,  Sgt,;   21;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  B.  Moores,  Sgt.;  28;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  H.  Ogden,  Sgt.;  23;  Jan.  1  '64;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Henry  B.  Nichols,  Sgt,;  28;   Sept,  7,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

<J0,    '65. 
Samue    H.  Jones,  Corp.;  25;  Aug  30,   '64;  Lawrence;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
James  Kerran,  Corp.;   37;  Sept.  13/64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. June 

30,  '65. 

Thomas  Morol,  Corp.;  26;  Sept.  20,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
William  H.  Nason,  Corp.;  21;  Sept,  19,   '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
Charles  R.  Vincent,  Corp.:  25;  Sept.  1,   '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch 

June  30,   '65. 


COMPANY  G,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  285 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Benjamin  F.  White,  Corp.;  26;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Pembroke;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Augustine  Whitney,  Corp.;  22;  Aug.  30,   '64;  Leominster;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Henry  Abbott,  Jr.,  Private;  22;  Aug.  19,  '64;  Gt.  Barrington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  7,  '65. 
William  Adams,  Private;  19;  Aug.  3,  '64;  Charlestown;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,    '65' 
Henry  H.  Albee,  Private;  19;  Aug.  31,  '64;  Charlton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Michael  T.  Ames,  Private;  34;  Aug.  30,  '64;  Shirley;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Jonas  Bartlett,  Private;  37;  Aug.  29,  '64;   Lawrence;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Beaty,  Private;  41;  Aug.  30,  '64;  Milford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;    disch.  June 

30,  ''65. 
Henry  Belden,  Private;  20;  July  25,  '64;  Leverett;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  d.  Mar.  30, 

'65;  on  U.  S.  Transport  "Northern  Light.' ' 
Michael  Boyle,  Private;  21;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Ware;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
Edward  M.  Bryant,  Private;  29;  Aug.  31,   '64;  Scituate;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Thomas  Burke,  Private;  23;  Aug.  30/64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,    '65. 
Michael  Casey,  Private;  21;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Lee;   transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art,;  disch.  June  24, 

'65. 
James  Conlan,  Private;  19;  Sept.  3,  '64;   Townsend;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;    disch. 

June  30,    '65. 
Matthew  Conness,  Private;  35;  Aug.  31,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Morris  Consil,  Private;  34;  Sept.  16,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art,;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Michael  Cozzens,  Private;  24;  Aug.  31,  '64;  Pittsfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  D.  Cram,  Private;  29;  Aug.  8,  '64;  Charlestown;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  d.  June 

21,  '65,  at  Greensboro,  N.  C. 
Atwel  J.  Cross,  Private;  19;  Aug.  17,  '64;  Boston;    transf.  from    2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  27,  '65. 
William  Danielson,  Private;  21;  Aug.  15,  '64;  Orange;  transf.  from  2d  Regt,  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
Patrick  Diamond,  Private;  44;   Aug.  29,  '64;  No.  Bridgewater;  transf.  from    2d  Regt.  H. 

Art.;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Hugh  Downey,  Private;  27;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Woburn;  transf.  from   2d    Regt.;  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  28,  '65. 
Ransom  Dunbar,  Private;  24;  Sept.  20,   '64;    Greenfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
George  Dunn,  Private;  29;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Greenfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Patrick  O.  Dwyer,  Private;  35;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Oxford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,    '65. 
George  W.  Eaton,  Private;  19;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Bradford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  24,  '65. 
George  W.  Farrell,  Private;  42;  Aug.  8,  '64;  Watertown;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.  O.July  11,  '65. 


286  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

John  Fary,  Private;  23;  Sept.  2,  '64;  No.  Bridge  water;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
John  Fay,  Private;  18;  Aug.  25,  '64;  Woburn;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

JO,  '65. 
George  M.  Fay,  Private;  18;  enrolled  at  Rehoboth,  Aug.  25, '64;  transf.  from  2d  H.  Art.  Dec. 

16,  '64.  ;  M.O.June  30,  '65. 
John  Finnigan,  Private;  21;  Aug.  15,  '64;  Milford;  disch.  June  24,  '65;  transf.  from  2d  Regt. 

H.  Art. 
James  L.  Fisher,  Private;  20;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Fitzpatrick,  Private;    21;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
John    Flahive,  Private;  21;  Aug.  15,  '64;   Westboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;    M.  O. 

July  11  ,'65. 
Henry  T.  Goetein,  Private;  18;  July  26,  '64;  Deerfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
Andrew  Guinan,  Private:  21;  Aug.  31,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
John  Harliky,  Private;  25;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Woburn;  disch.  June  30,  '65;  transf.  from  2d  Regt. 

H.  Art. 
Edward  Harrighy,  Private;  26:  Aug.  8,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.;  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Harris,  Private;  36;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Marlboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Howard,  Private;  18;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Pembroke;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Nelson  Hughes,  Private;  21;  Aug.  9,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  to  Co.  C. 

Rufus  Hunt,  Private;  22;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Otis;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Patrick  Kearey,  Private;  34;  Sept.  12, '64;  Spencer;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Arthur  Keefe,  Private;  23;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Maiden;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,   '65. 
Michael  Keith,  Private;  22;  Sept.  5,  '64;  Lexington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65;  as  Keefe. 
George  W.  Knight,  Private;  23;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Milford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
James  Lawler,  Private;  25;  Aug.  31,  '64;  Pittsfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Daniel  Leary,  Private;  25;  July  29,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  d.  Apr.  9, 

'65,  in  Hospital  in  New  York. 
Joseph  E.  Lewis,  Private;  26;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Tyngsboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
William  H.  Lightbound,  Private;  21;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Otis;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Michael  McColligan,  Private;  40;  Aug.  10,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
William  McGrath,  Private;  44;  Aug.  30,  '64;  Chicopee;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  McVey,  Private;  28;  Aug.  20,  '64;  Greenfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;     M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
Edward  Millen,  Private;  31;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 

Richard  Mitchell,  Private;  26;  July  11,  '64;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  Morgan,  Private;  23;  Sept.  21,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;   M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 


COMPANY  G,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  287 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

James  Murphy,  Private;  19;  Sept.  2,   '64;  Northhampton;  transf.  from  2d  R  gt.  H.  Art.; 

M.O.July  11,  '65. 
James  B.  Murphy,  Private;  20;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Milton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  transf. 

to  Co.  B. 
Thomas  Murphy,  Private;  24;  Aug.  31,  '64;  Pittsfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;   disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Navan,  Private;  23;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Milford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
John  O.  Nay,  Private;  21;  July  29,  '64;  Newburyport;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  Niles,  Private;  31;  July  28,  '64;  Georgetown;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  d.  May 

2,  '65;  at  Beaufort,  N.  C. 
Hugh  Nugent,  Private;  23;  Aug.  31,  '64;  Pittsfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,   '65. 
John  O'Brien,  Private;  25;  July  29,  '64;  Plymouth;  disch.  May  26,  '65;  transf.  from  2d  Regt. 

H.  Art. 
William  P.  O'Brien,  Private;  20;  July  26,  '64;  Adams;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  26,  '65. 
Patrick  O'Connors,  Private;  23;  Aug.  16,  '64;  Ashland;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
John  O'Mara,  Private;  22;  Aug.  31,   '64;  Pittsfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Patrick  O'Neil,  Private;  19;  Aug.  13,   '64;  Chelsea;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.   O. 

July  11,  '65. 
Charles  M.  Peabody,  Private;  31;  Aug.  24,  '64;  Bradford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Pearsons,  Private;  32;  Sept.  3,   '64;  Colrain;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Cornelius  H.  Post,  Private;  42;  Aug.  5,   '64;  Chelmsford;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

d.  Apr.  19,  '65;  at  Beaufort,  N.  C. 
Michael  Powers,  Private;  IS;  Aug.  19,  '64;  Deerfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  7,  '65. 
Henry  H.  Prouty,  Private;  34;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Henry  C.  Reed,  Private;  21;  Sept.  1,   '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

July  24,  '65. 
Renzo  Sargent,  Private;  18;  Aug.  17,   '64;  Clinton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
Edward  Schofield,  Private;  31;  Aug.  27,  '64;  Medford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  15,  '65. 
Charles  W.  Seiders,  Private;  23;  Aug.  26,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Patrick  Shea,  Private;  22;  July  27, '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  July 

19,   '65. 
Thomas  Shea,  Private;  21;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Maiden;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65,  as  "Timothy." 
Alonzo  Sinclair,  Private;  21:  Aug.  12,  '64;  Fitchburg;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,   '65. 
Alexander  G.  Smith,  Private;  25;  Sept.  3,   '64;  Oakham;  transf.  from  2<1  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  May  26,  '65. 
Matthew  Stephenson,  Private;  42;  Sept.  1,    '64;  Maiden;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  28,  '65. 
Henry  J.  Stevens,  Private;  33;  July  25,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch 

June  24,  '65. 


288  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Michael  Sweeney,  Private;  28;  Aug.  27,  '64;  Marlboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  diseh. 

June  30,  '65. 
George  W.  Temple,  Private;  42;  July  23,    '64;  Marlboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Orrin  L.  Torger,  Private;  21;  Aug.  17,  '64;  Provincetown;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  July  16,  '65. 

Abram  A.  Tyler,  Private;  28;  May  13,  '64;  Adams;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Thomas  H.  Welch,  Private;  19;  Sept.  1,   '64;  Townserid;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Emerson  Wilcott,  Private;  43;  Aug.  31,    '64;  Brookfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

d.  Apr.  10,  '65,  David  Island,  New  York  Harbor. 


COMPANY  "H"  NEW  ORGANIZATION. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Enoch  F.  Tompkins,  Captain;  33;  Apr.  22,  '65;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Malcolm  Siliars,  1st  Lt.;  26;  Mar.  4,  '65;  So.  Danvers;    commissioned  Captain  Aug.  4,  '64; 

M.O.July  11, '65  as  1st  Lt. 
James  Smith,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Dec.  20,  '64;  Danvers;  commissioned  1st  Lt.  June  1,  '65;  transf. 

toCo.G. 
Uriah  Robertson,  2d  Lt.;  30;  Mar.  4,  '65;  Danvers;  commissioned  1st  Lt.,  June  1,  '65;  M.  O. 

July  11, '65,  as2dLt. 
Leonard  W.  Phillips,  1st  Sgt.;  23;  Jan.  25,  '62;  Bradford;  d.  Oct.  5,  '64  at  Andersonville, 

Ga.;gr.  No.  10383. 
Thomas  Clymonte,  1st  Sgt.;  21;  Dec.  4,  '63;  New  Bedford;  commissioned  2d  Lt.,  June  16,  '65; 

M.  O.  July  11,  '65  as  1st  Sgt. ;  re-enlist.  Dec.  4,  '63. 
Owen  Murphy,  Sgt.;  28;  Sept.  20,  '64;  Danvers;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

William  Pollett,  Sgt,;  21;  Dec.  28,  '63;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65;  re-enlist.  Dec.  28,  '63. 
Melvin  Maley,  Sgt.;  21;  Sept.  29,  '64;  Danvers;  disch.  June 30,  '65. 
William  J.  Bradley,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  24,  '65;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  B.  Campbell,  Corp.;  24;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Marlboro;  disch.  June  30,  '65;  transf.  from 

2d  Regt.  H.  Art. 

William  E.  Flagg,  Corp.;  21;  Jan.  24,  '65;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Hadley,  Corp.;  30;  Sept.  8,  '64;  Grafton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch.  June  30, 

'65. 
William  H.  Henderson,  Corp.;  18;  Sept,  18/64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.: 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Bernard  McGaw,  Corp.;  21;  Aug.  23,  '64;  Mendon;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30, '65. 

Edward  North,  Corp.;  21;  Feb.  9,  '65;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Edward  W.  WTheeler,  Corp.;  21;  Dec.  20,  '64;  Fall  River;  re-enlist.  Dec.  21,  '63;  M.  0.  July 

11, '65. 
Henry  Foster,  Musician;  18;  Feb.  19,  '64;  Cambridge;  re-enlist.  Feb.  19,  '64;  M.  O.  July  11, 

'65. 
Charles  Hartman,  Musician;  20;  Jan.  5,  '64;  Danvers;  re-enlist.  Jan.  5,  '64;  M.  O.  July 

1/65. 
John  W.  Twichell,  Musician;  23;  Jan.  1,  '64;  Chelsea;  re-enlist.  Jan.  1,  '64;  d.  Aug.  17,  '64  , 

in  Andersonville,  Ga.;  gr.  No.  5428. 

Thomas  W.  Bagley,  Private;  18;  Jan.  13,  '65;  Amesbury;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  H.  Baldwin,  Private;  20;  Dec.  24,  '64;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  C.  Bates,  Private;  33;  Sept.  9,  '64;  Abington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 


COMPANY  H,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  289 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR  CREDIT. 

Henry  Behan,  Private;  21;  Jan.  18,  '65;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

Joseph  E.  Brigham,  Private;  21;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Marlboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art. 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

John  M.  Brown,  Private;  19;  Jan.  25,  '65;  West  Newbury,  d.  June  9, '65  in  hospital,  New  York. 
George  Burnett,  Private;  21;  Jan.  26,  '65;  Charlestown;  disch.  July  28,  '65. 
Charles  A.  Cheever,  Private;  38;  Jan.  18,  '64;  Lynn;  re-enlist.  Jan.  18,  '64;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Winfield  S.  Church,  Private;  18;  Dec.  20,  '64;  Fall  River;  disch.  June  29,  '65. 
Henry  A.  Collins,  Private;  19;  Jan.  13,  '65;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
David  H.  Cook,  Private;  18;  Jan.  31,  '65;  Salem;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Dennis  Desmond,  Private;  22;  Jan.  11,  '65;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Desmond,  Private;  22;  Jan.  16,  '65;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Michael  J.  Donahue,  Private;  18;  Sept.  14/64;  Lowell;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11  '65. 
Peter  F.  Dwyer,  Private;  19;  Sept.  15,  '64;  Waltham;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
William  Emerson,  Private;  33;  Sept.  3,  '64;  No.  Bridgewater;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H. 

Art. ;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Fitzpatrick,  Private;  30;  July  15,   '64;  Amesbury;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.O.July  11, '65. 
Edward  Gallagan,  Private;  21;  July  30,  '64;  Athol;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July    11,    '65. 
James  Gallagan,  Private;  21;  Sept.  6,  '64;  Woburn;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
George  Gardner,  Private;  18;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Attleboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Asa  Gentis,  Private;  32;  Jan.  25,  '65;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  Gilleland,  Private;  35;  Jan.  2,  '64;  Lawrence;  d.  Oct.  19,  '64  at  Andersonville,  Ga., 

gr.  No.  11157. 

John  Goggin,  Private;  43;  Jan.  11,  '65;  Haverhill;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
John  Gravat,  Private;  21;  July  30,  '64;  Athol;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.:  M.  O.  July 

11,  '65. 
Joseph  Greenhalge,  Private;  23;  Sept.  21,  '64;  Fall  River;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June 30,  '65. 
Morris  Haley,  Private;  22;  Sept.  20,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June-  30,  '65. 
Henry  S.  Henderson,  Private;  21;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Northfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Robert  Heron,  Private;  34;  Dec.  27,  '64;  Lynn;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O.  July 

11, '65. 
Robert  Hock,  Private;  26;   Sept.  12, '64;  Boston;   transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;   M.O.July 

11,  '65. 

John  H.  Huddell,  Private;  18;  Jan.  31,  '65;  So.  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  Johnson,  Private;  27;  Sept.  19, '64;  Concord;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;   disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Andrew  Jones,  Private;  19;  Jan.  28,  '65;  Fall  River;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  Kaler,  Private;  21;  Sept.  12,  '64;  East  Bridgewater;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Patrick  Kelly    Private;  25;  Sept.  7,  '64;  Uxbridge;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;    disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Alonzo  C.  Kezar,  Private;  19;  Jan.  31,  '65;  Salem;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Timothy  Kniffick,  Private;  22;  Jan.  4,  '65;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Henry  Krollman,  Private;  20;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Granville;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 


290  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Moses  Lancaster,  Private;  39;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Heath;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art;  d.  of  wounds 

Mar.  15,  '65. 
John  Landen,  Private;  19;  Sept.  12,  '64;  New  Bedford;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30, '65. 
Daniel  Leary,  Private;  33;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Worcester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;   disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
James  Ledwith,  Private;  22;  Jan.  11,  '65;  Fall  River;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
Sim®n  L.  Lee.  Private;  27;  Aug.  18,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O.  July 

11, '65. 
William  S.  Maloney,  Private;  32;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Granville;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
James  Maxwell,  Private;  28;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Marlboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  diach. 

June  30,  '65. 

Hugh  McCann,  Private;  30;  Dec.  29,  '64;  Salem;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
George  E.  McClosky,  Private;  18;  Sept.  15,  '64;  Boston;    transf.  from  2d.  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

killed  in  action  Mar.  10,  '65,  at  Kinston,  N.  C. 

William  McGunnigle,  Private;  18;Feb.l,'65;  Stoughton;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Charles  H.  Mclntire,  Private;  21;  Feb.  27,  '65;  Salem;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 
George  E.  Melendy,  Private;  20;  Aug.  29,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Lewis  Morey,  Private;  18;  Jan.  4,  '65;  Boston;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Michael  Morrisey,  Private;  23;  Feb.  2,  '65;  Worcester;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Michael  Mulvaney,  Private;    19;  Sept.  17,   '64;  Palmer;    transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.O.July  11, '65. 
Charles  Murphy,  Private;   29;  Feb.  27,  '62;  Cambridge;  d.  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  Sept.  5, 

'64;  no.  ofgr.  7862. 

Hugh  E.  Murphy,  Private;  21;  Mar.  3,  '65;  Danvers;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Jeremiah  Murphy,  Private;  26;  Jan.  18,  '65;  Lawrence;  d.  May  9,  '65,  at  Raleigh,  N.  C. 
Michael  Neighland,  Private;  21;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Framington;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  July  30,  '65. 
Jerome  M.  Newton,    Private;  36;  Sept.  16,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
William  O'Brian,  Private;  42;  Sept.  8,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11,  '65. 
William  O'Hern,  Private;  42;    Sept.  15,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

George  Orall,  Private;  24;  Jan.  27,  '65;  Haverhill;  d.  Apr.  23,  '65  at  Morehead  City,  N.  C. 
Francis  A.  Orcutt,  Private;  19;  Feb.  3,  '65;  Lynn;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Henry  Pepin,  Private;  19;  Jan.  23,  '65;  Worcester;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
James  Peppard,  Private;  26;  Sept.   17,  '64;  Blackstone;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

John  Reynolds,  Private;  24;  Jan.  13,  '65;  Taunton;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Edward  Richardson,  Private;  21;  Jan.  27,  '65;  Templeton;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Moses  G.  Robbins,  Private;  39;  Aug.  3,  '64;  Charlestown;  disch.  June  9,  '65. 
Charles  O.  Robinson,  Private;  21;  Jan.  31,  '65;  Salisbury;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
William  H.  Russell,  Private;  19;  Sept.  1,  '64;  Sandisfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Thomas  Scanlan,  Private;  29;  Feb.  23,  '65;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Herman  Seyfurth,  Private;  24;  Jan.  18,  65;  Concord;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 
Moses  Sherman,  Private;  28;  Sept.  17,  '64;  Marshfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  discb. 

June  20,  '65. 

Joseph  W.  Silver,  Private;  23;  Jan.  13,  '65;  Ipswich;  deserted  June  26,  '65. 
John  W.  Smith,  Private;  22;  Feb.  20,  '65;  Lawrence;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 


UNASSIGNED  RECRUITS,  NEW  ORGANIZATION.  291 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Henry  Snow,  Private;  18;  Feb.  14. '65;  Greenfield;  M.  O.  July  11,  '65. 

James  P.  Stevens,  Private;  30;  Jan.  5,  '65;  Boston;  transf.  to  Co.  B. 

John  Sullivan,  Private;  25;  Feb.  1,  '65;  Northampton;  disch.  July  25,  '65. 

Leonard  L.  Walker,  Private;  34;  Sept.  19,  '64;  Marlboro;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Wall,  1st,  Private;    30;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  Art.;  disch.  June 

30,  '65. 
John  Wall,  2d,  Private;  40;  Sept.  5,  '63;  So.  Boston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;    disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
Alexander  D.  Washburn,  Private;  22;  Aug.  29,  '64;  No.  Bridgewater;  transf.  from  2d  Regt. 

H.  Art.;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 
Emory  Watkins,  Private;  42;  Feb.  17,  '65;  Hopkinton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.O.July  11, '65. 
Orrin  H.  Watkins,  Private;  19;  Feb.  10,  '65;  Hopkinton;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

M.O.July  11, '65. 
Robert  Welch,  Private;  19;  Aug.  1,  '64;  Townsend;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

for  disabil.  June  24,  '65,  hosp'l,  Newark,  N.  J. 
Thomas  Weller,  Private;  21;  Aug.  15,  '64;   Boston,  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  M.  O. 

July  11, '65. 
George  H.  Wheldon,  Private;  21;  Sept.  10,  '64;  Springfield;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 
John  Wigley,  Private;  31;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Dorchester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  disch. 

June  30,  '65. 
James  Winter,  Private;   18;  July  25,   '64;  Georgetown;  transf.  from     2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 

disch.  June  30,  '65. 


UNASSIGNED  RECRUITS. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Daniel  C.  Aiken,  Recruit;  23;  July  14,  '63;  Lawrence;  disch.  May  22,  '65,  under  President's 
Proclamation. 

Henry  A.  Brown,  Recruit,  23;  July  19,  '63;  Boston;  disch.  May  22,  '65,  under  President's 
Proclamation. 

George  Burgess,  Recruit;  19;  Aug.  13,  '64;  Wendell;  desert,  at  Camp  Distribution,  Alex 
andria,  Va.;  letter  War  Depart.  July  3,  '93,  on  file  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 

Thomas  Casey,  Recruit;  18;  Aug.  5,  '62;  Bradford;  unofficially  reported  discharged,  Jan,  '63. 

George  C.  Keefe,  Recruit;  21;  June  '64;  Boston;  disch.  May  6,  '65,  under  President's  Procla 
mation. 

James  Larter,  Recruit;  20;  Apr.  12,  '65;  Boston;  disch.  May  6,  '65. 

William  H.  Littlefield,  Recruit;  18;  Oct.  20,  '62;  Boston;  disch.  for  disability  at  Alexandria, 
Va.,  Dec.  12,  '62;  letter  War  Department  Jan.  26,  '64,  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 

William  F.  Lougee,  Recruit;  19;  Feb.  10,  '65;  Boston;  d.  at  Galloupe's  Island,  Mar.  10,  '65. 

Edward  Plummer,  Recruit;  25;  Sept.  3,  '64;  Dorchester;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.;  d. 
Oct.  19,  '64,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

William  Wallace,  Recruit;  28;  Feb.  25,  '65;  Boston;  disch.  May  6,  '65. 

William  E.  Wheeler,  Recruit;  24;  MayjZO,  '64;  Chicopee;  disch.  May  17,  '65,  under  President's 
Proclamation. 

George  A.  Willey,  Recruit;  19;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Bernardston;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 
d.  Jan.  '65,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

John  H.  Williams,  Recruit;  21;  Sept.  10,  '64;  Haverhill;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art.; 
disch.  June  30,  '65. 


292  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

ENLISTED  MEN  WHO  ARE  RECORDED  AS    HAVING    ENLISTED   IN 
OR  FOR  THE  SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

James  Allen,  Recruit;  20;  July  31,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Albert  Baker,  Recruit;  22;  Sept.  29,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Henry  Barton,  Recruit;  21;  Aug.  5,  '62;  Maiden;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
James  Bates,  Recruit;  33;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Henry  Becket,  Recruit;  22;  Aug.  9,  '64;  Danvers;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
George  Bennett,  Recruit;  24;  Nov.  30,  '62;  West  Newbury;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office, 

Mass. 
Joseph  Bennett,  Recruit;  22;  Nov.  30,  '62;  West  Newbury;    no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office, 

Mass. 

William  H.  Blake,  Recruit;  27;  Aug.  28,  '61;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Horatio  N.  C.  Blanchard,  Recruit;  35;  Aug.  10,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office, 

Mass. 

Stilson  Boyiiton,  Recruit;  35;  Aug.  19,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
George  W.  Brooks,  Recruit;  24;  Oct.  22,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Boston. 
James  Burke,  Recruit;  23;  Oct.  23,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  Burpee,  Recruit;  21;  Aug.  9,  '62;  Gloucester;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
James  S.  Chase,  Recruit;  19;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Leonard  Chase,  Recruit;  25;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office, 

Mass. 

Thomas  Clark,  Recruit;  32;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  in  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
George  Clinton,  Recruit;  22;  Oct.  23,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
H.  A.  Cole,  Recruit;  24;  July  '61;  Beverly;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Edward  Conner,  Recruit;  20;  May  10,  '61 ;  Newburyport;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen 's  office,  Mass. 
Charles  Cook,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  21,  '61;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Michael  Cooley,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  23,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  J.  Cross,  Recruit;  27;  Oct.  21,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt,  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
James  M.  Crafts,  Recruit;  41;  Oct.  21,  '62;  Maiden;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Neil  Doherty,  Recruit;  22;  Aug.  12,  '61;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
James  Dolan,  Recruit;  41;  Aug.  4,  '61;  Salisbury;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Thomas  Dougherty,  Recruit;  21;  Aug.  23,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
James  Dowd,  Recruit;  25;  July  10,  '61;  Lynnfield;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  H.  Ellsworth,  Recruit;  23;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  Ho  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
D.  W.  Farmer,  Recruit;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
James  Fitzgerald,  Recruit;  25;  Aug.  9,  '61;  Fall  River;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
James  Gildare,  Recruit ;  22 ;  Oct.  29,  '62 ;  Boston ;  bo  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen 's  office,  Mass. 
John  Gray,  Recruit;  27;  Oct.  25,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  Guilfoil,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  21,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Jeremiah  Mackett,  Recruit;  39;  Aug.  19,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  Haggerty,  Recruit;  23;  July  22,  '62;  Lawrence;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Thomas  Hanley,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  27,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  Harris,  Recruit;  21;  Sept.  30,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Edward  Harrison,  Recruit;  22;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  Henry,  Recruit;  23;  Aug.  10,  '61;  Andover;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Enoch  M.  Henrich,  Recruit;  41;  Nov.  11,  '61;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  Hewins,  Recruit;  18;  Oct.  14,  '61;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Richard  Holden,  Recruit;  23;  Aug.  27,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Charles  Hopkins,  Recruit;  26;  Aug.  29,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Nathaniel  T.  Horn,  Recruit;  23;  July  27,  '61;  Roxbury;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  G.  Ivers,  Recruit;  22 ;  Dec.  14,  '61 ;  Newburyport;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen 's  office,  Mass. 
William  Jackson,  Recruit;  45;  May  10,  '61;  Lynn;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 


OTHER  ENLISTED  MEN.  293 


NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE   OP  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE   OR  CREDIT. 

Charles  Johnson.Recruit;  21;  Sept.  3,  '64;  New  Salem;  transf.  from  2d  Regt.  H.  Art. 
William  Johnson,  Recruit;  21 ;  Jan.  11,  '65;  Sturbridge;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gea's  office,  Mass. 
George  Jones,  Recruit;  21 ;  Oct.  29,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  Jones,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  23,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  H.  Jones,  Recruit;  36;  July  22,  '61;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec. Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Samuel  Kegan,  Recruit;  Aug  23,  '61;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,    Mass. 
Robert  Kirmit,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  29,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Elden  H.  Lamson,  Recruit;  31;  Feb.  5,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  Larkin,  Recruit;  39;  Oct.  29,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  Layton,  Recruit;  38;  July  22,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  Lee,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
David  H.  Levenworth,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Thomas  Lewis,  Recruit;  20;  July  29,  '61 ;  Fall  River;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Charles  Littlefield,  Recruit;  36;  Aug.  12,  '61;  Gloucester;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Benjamin  F.  Locke,  Recruit;  28;  Feb.  4,  '62;  Amesbury;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
George  Maiden,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Timothy  Maley,  Recruit;  27;  Sept.  2,  '64;  Greenfield;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Henry  G.  Marden,  Recruit;  44;  Sept.  1,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  F.  Mason,  Recruit;  25;  Dec.  28,  '62;  Chelsea;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Michael  McCarty,  Recruit;  19;  Oct.  12,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Daniel  McCollagh,  Recruit;  26;  Oct.  23,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Owen  McNally,  Recruit;  37;  July  2,  '61 ;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Wiliam  Morrill,  Recruit;  26;  Sept.  28,  '61;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  H.  Motley,  Recruit;  21;  July  10,  '61;  Rockport;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  Murray,  Recruit;  21 ;  Oct.  21,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Robert  Neville,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  13,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Thomas  Newton, Recruit;  34;  May  10,  '61 ;  So.  Danvers;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Michael  O'Flaherty,  Recruit;  30;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's,  office, 

Mass. 

Charles  E.  Oliver,  Recruit;  22;  Oct.  23,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
James  O'Neil,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  27,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  O'Shea,  Recruit;  25;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
J.  O 'Sullivan,  Recruit;  22;  July  31,  '61;  Great  Falls,  N.  H.;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office, 

Mass. 

Sylvester  Parshley,  Recruit;  18;  July  10,  '61;  Salem;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  B.  Porter  Recruit;  25;  May  10,  '61;    Newburyport;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office, 

Mass. 

Peter  Quanton,  Recruit;  19;  Oct.  23,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Andrew  Quinn,  Recruit;  25;  Oct.  14,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Patrick  Quinn,  Recruit;  22;  Sept.  5,  '62;  Lynn;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
E.  R.  Raney,  Recruit;  39;  July  2,  '61;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  Raymond,  Recruit;  23;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Daniel  Ready,  Recruit;  28;  Sept.  29,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
George  H.  Roberts,  Recruit;  Haverhill;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Samuel  Roberts,  Recruit;  31;  May  10,  '61;  So.  Danvers;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass- 
Charles  W.  Seymour,  Recruit;  24;  Jan.  1,62;  Danvers;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,   Mass. 
Thomas  Stokes,  Recruit;  33;  Oct.  2,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
James  Sullivan,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  29,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Thomas  Sullivan,  Recruit;  21;  Sept.  3,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Edwin  Thomas,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  Thomson,  Recruit;  29;  Oct.  22,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Henry  Tighe,  Recruit;  38;  Aug.  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
David  Welch,  Recruit;  26;   Oct.l,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 


294  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  KEGIMENT. 

NAME.  RANK.  AGE.  DATE  OF  ENROLLMENT.  RESIDENCE  OR  CREDIT. 

Stephen  H.  Welch,  Recruit;  26;  May  10,  '61;  Newburyport;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office, 

Mass. 

Charles  West,  Recruit;  21;  Jan.  14,  '64;  Cohasset;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Tobias  White,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  24,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
William  White,  Recruit;  23;  Oct.  2,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
George  H.  Whittemore,  Recruit;  18;  Aug.  17, '61;  Newburyport;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's 

office,  Mass. 

Thomas  Wilkinson,  Recruit;  21;  Oct.  29, '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  Williams,  Recruit;  23;  Oct.  13,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
John  Williams,  Recruit;  33;  Sept.  1,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
David  R.  Willie,  Recruit;  24;  Feb.  3,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Joseph  Wing,  Recruit;  18;  Oct.  21,  '61;  New  Bedford;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Charles  Wilson,  Recruit;  30;  Oct.  22,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Henry  Wilson,  Recruit;  25;  Oct.  23,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
James  Wilson,  Recruit;  24;  Oct.24,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Henry  Withington,  Recruit;  18;  Oct.  14,  '62;  Boston;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.General's  office,  Mass. 
Caleb  L.  Woodwell,  Recruit;  35;  Aug.  23,  '61;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 
Benjamin  F.  Young,  Recruit;  18;  May  10,  '61;  Reading;  no  fur.  rec.  Adjt.  Gen's  office,  Mass. 


CHAPTER  X. 


BIOGRAPHIES. 


WITH  PORTRAIT  OF  FIELD,  STAFF,  LINE  OFFICERS  AND  A  FEW 
OF  THE  ENLISTED  MEN  OF  THE  REORGANIZED,  OR  VETERAN 
SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEER 
INFANTRY. 

COLONEL  HENRY  SPLAINE. 

Henry  Splaine,  (colonel  of  the  new  Seventeenth  Massachusetts 
Infantry)  was  born  in  Aharlow  House,  Barony  of  Muskerry, 
County  of  Cork,  Ireland,  August  6,  1837.  He  received  his  early 
education  in  public  and  private  schools  in  the  city  of  Cork. 
When  but  fourteen  years  of  age  (namely,  October  3,  1851)  he  came 
to  the  United  States  with  his  family  and  settled  in  Haverhill, 
Mass.  Here  he  continued  his  studies  under  the  direction  of 
his  parents,  who  were  educated  and  accomplished. 

In  Haverhill  he  was  taught  the  shoemaking  trade,  at  which 
he  worked  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  when  the  mili 
tant  spirit  of  a  war-like  ancestry  moved  him  to  leave  the  work 
bench  and  don  the  uniform  of  a  soldier,  in  the  cause  of  freedom  and 
his  adopted  country.  He  was  one  of  six  brothers  who  fought 
in  either  the  army  or  the  navy  of  the  United  States  in  that  war, 
all  serving  until  the  close  of  the  war,  the  surrender  of  General  Lee 
and  the  collapse  of  the  Rebellion. 

Colonel  Splaine  is  one  of  nineteen  children,  thirteen  boys  and 
six  girls.  His  father  was  Richard  Splaine,  Esq.,  formerly  of 
Aharlow  House,  County  of  Cork,  Ireland.  He  was  of  a  long  line 
of  estated  gentlemen,  and  of  direct  descent  from  one  of  two 

[295] 


296  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

brothers  who  accompanied  William  the  Norman  from  France  to 
England,  participating  in  the  battle  of  Hastings,  which  resulted 
in  the  conquest  of  England.  A  descendant  of  this  brother  went 
to  Ireland  years  afterwards  and  founded  the  house  from  which 
Colonel  Splaine  derives  his  ancestry. 

A  militant  and  adventurous  strain  has  always  run  through  the 
Splaine  family,  there  having  been  several  of  them  in  wars  during 
and  after  the  conquest  of  England,  and  notably  during  the  last 
two  centuries.  For  example,  Colonel  Abraham  Splaine  of  the 
British  Eighty-First  Infantry,  who  was  a  cousin  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Captain  Philip  Splaine,  killed  at  Cape  Coast  Castle, 
Africa,  was  a  cousin;  Lieutenant  William  Splaine,  who  died  in 
Canada  years  ago,  was  also  a  cousin;  Jerome  Splaine,  a  brother, 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Khars  during  the  progress  of  the  Cri 
mean  War;  another  brother,  Edward  Splaine,  was  honored  with 
the  Queen's  Medal  for  heroic  conduct  in  the  defence  of  a  bastion 
of  a  fort  during  the  battle  of  Inkerman,  the  piece  of  artillery 
in  the  fort  becoming  overheated,  burst,  killing  twelve  of  the 
seventeen  men  under  the  command  of  said  Edward  Splaine. 
Edward  was  one  of  the  six  brothers  who  served  in  the  Civil  War. 

Colonel  Splaine's  maternal  grandfather,  John  O'Mahoney, 
Esq.,  was  a  sculptor  of  distinction  in  Ireland,  and  in  the  early 
part  of  the  last  century  (from  1800  to  1818)  had  for  a  pupil, 
James  Barry,  Esq.,  founder  of  the  house  of  sculptors  of  that  name 
in  the  United  States,  some  of  whom  have  attained  the  highest  rank 
among  the  leading  American  sculptors. 

Colonel  Splaine's  mother  was  Honora,  daughter  of  John 
O'Mahoney,  the  sculptor.  She  was  a  noted  Irish  beauty  in  her 
section  of  the  country,  was  an  accomplished  and  amiable  woman, 
and  was  the  first  of  the  old  Irish  or  Celtic  race  to  marry  into  the 
Splaine  family. 

When  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Regiment  left  Linnfield 
in  August,  1861,  Colonel  Splaine  was  in  Company  E,  a  first  lieu 
tenant,  but  on  January  31,  1862,  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
captain,  and  assigned  to  Company  A  of  that  regiment,  until  the 
expiration  of  the  term  of  the  old  regiment,  when  he  took  command 
as  captain  of  the  newly  organized  veterans,  July  17,  1864.  Shortly 


LIKUT.  EBK..X   SIMOXDS. 


BIOGRAPHIES.  297 

after,  when  the  regiment  began  to  be  recruited  up  to  its  maximum 
of  eight  companies,  he  was  commissioned  major  and  lieutenant- 
colonel,  August  10,  1864. 

On  March  4,  1865,  he  was  appointed  Acting  Brigadier  General 
in  command  of  the  third  brigade,  second  division,  District  of 
Beaufort,  North  Carolina.  He  was  commissioned  colonel  June  16, 
1865.  These  promotions,  it  may  be  said,  were  the  reward  of 
meritorious  and  efficient  conduct  in  the  field  during  four  years  of 
continuous  service,  when  he  was  at  all  times  with  his  command. 

Though  usually  fortunate  in  the  many  encounters  in  which 
he  participated  in  North  Carolina,  he  was  wounded  in  the  left 
arm  at  Winton  (or  Mt.  Tabor  Church),  North  Carolina,  July 
26,  1863. 

Colonel  Splaine  personally  is  a  warm-hearted,  chivalrous, 
generous  and  charitable  man,  unassuming  in  manner,  and  modest  in 
bearing,  as  men  of  ability  always  are.  He  is  thoroughly  democratic 
in  temperament,  notwithstanding  that  in  his  lineage  he  is  aristo 
cratic,  and  in  that  respect  has  something  to  be  proud  of,  he  being 
a  cousin  in  the  second  degree  of  a  baronet,  as  his  father  and  Sir 
Richard  Moore  were  full  first  cousins,  Colonel  Splaine  being, 
therefore,  cousin  of  the  present  baronet  of  that  name.  Colonel 
Splaine's  grand  aunt,  Ellen  Oilman  of  Old  Park,  County  Cork,  Ire 
land,  married  Sir  Emannuel  Moore,  thereby  becoming  Lady  Moore. 

As  to  his  own  immediate  family,  it  may  be  recorded  that  he 
married  Margaret  J.  Weir  on  November  16,  1858.  From  this 
union  were  born  eight  children,  six  sons  and  two  daughters, 
namely,  Richard  Edward,  Anne  Maria,  Henry  Thomas,  Herbert 
James,  William  Francis,  Norella,  David  Jerome  and  George  Weir. 
Mrs.  Splaine  died  November  15,  1881. 

Colonel  Splaine  is  a  member  of  Theodore  Winthrop  Post, 
No.  35,  Department  of  Massachusetts,  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  member  of 
the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  United  States. 


LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  WILLIAM  W.  SMITH. 

William  W.  Smith  was  born  in  Tarifville,  Conn.,  June  17, 
1839.     He  was  one  of  eight  children  born  to  John  Smith  and  his 


298  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

wife,  Margaret  Sinclair,  who  were  both  of  Scottish  birth,  and  who 
landed  in  New  York  from  Scotland  about  1829.  In  the  city  of 
New  York  the  oldest  boy  was  born,  the  younger  members  of  the 
family  being  born  in  Tarifville,  Conn.,  to  which  place  the  family 
removed  in  1830.  The  boys  were  Archie,  Daniel,  Robert,  James 
John  and  William  W.  The  girls  were  Margaret  and  Jeanette. 
From  Tarifville,  the  family  removed  to  Danvers,  Mass.,  in  1846. 
Margaret  became  Mrs.  White  and  Jeanette  became  Mrs.  CrowelL 

When  the  excitement  caused  by  the  secession  of  the  southern 
states  reached  Danvers,  the  young  men  of  that  town,  like  those  of 
other  towns,  organized  a  splendid  company,  which  at  once  went 
into  camp  and  drilled  every  day.  Soon  they  were  equipped  and 
ready  for  service.  N.  P.  Fuller  was  elected  captain,  William  W. 
Smith  first  lieutenant  and  Ruel  B.  Pray  second  lieutenant.  The 
company  joined  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers  at 
Lynnfield,  July  10,  1861.  It  was  designated  as  Company  C,  and 
was  placed  on  the  left  flank  of  the  regiment,  thereby  gaining  the 
second  position  of  importance  in  that  regiment. 

Lieutenant  Smith  and  his  three  brothers  wrere  all  members 
of  this  company.  They  were  William  W.,  Daniel,  Robert  and 
James.  Daniel  died  while  a  member  of  Company  C. 

William  W.  Smith  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant  August 
21,  1861;  captain,  July  31,  1862;  major,  August  4,  1864;  and  lieu 
tenant-colonel,  June  16, 1865. 

Colonel  Smith  was  a  brave  and  patriotic  officer,  of  commanding 
presence,  a  good  disciplinarian,  watchful  over  the  welfare  of  his 
men,  and  was  at  all  times  ready  for  duty.  He  never  missed  a 
march  or  a  fight  that  his  company  took  part  in.  Shortly  after  the 
close  of  the  war,  he  married  Miss  Carrie  Goldwaithe  of  Danvers, 
and  soon  afterwards  removed  to  Kansas.  He  is  now  a  resident  of 
Topeka  in  that  state,  where  he  has  become  a  successful  lawyer, 
and  where  he  is  well  known  in  public  life. 


MAJOR  JOHN  E.  MULLALLY. 

John  E.  Mullally  was  born  in  Boston,  August  22,  1838.     His 
father  was  John  Mullally  of  Templemore,  Ireland,  who,  shortly 


BIOGRAPHIES.  299 

after  going  to  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  married  Mary  Stewart  of  that 
city,  whose  father  was  a  sea  captain.  There  were  born  of  this 
union  four  boys  and  three  girls.  The  four  boys  served  with  dis 
tinction  in  the  Union  army,  three  of  them  in  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  Infantry,  and  one  in  another  regiment.  After 
leaving  the  Seventeenth,  one  of  the  brothers,  William  Mullally, 
having  served  four  years  in  the  Volunteers,  joined  the  regular 
cavalry,  and  went  down  in  glory  in  the  celebrated  General  Custer 
disaster. 

A  few  years  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  the 
family  moved  from  Boston  to  Danvers,  where,  after  attending 
public  schools,  as  they  had  done  in  Boston,  the  sons  took  up  the 
shoe  business  for  a  livlihood.  When  excitement  ran  high  about 
recruiting  and  drilling  for  the  inevitable  conflict  between  the  North 
and  the  South,  Major  Mullally  was  among  the  chief  organizers 
of  the  " Foster  Guard/ ;  of  South  Danvers.  The  major,  for  his 
activity  and  patriotism,  was  elected  second  lieutenant  May  10, 
1861,  which  was  confirmed  later  when  the  Guards  were  incorporated 
into  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry  as  Company  B, 
at  Lynnfield,  Mass.,  July  10,  1861. 

Lieutenant  Mullally  went  to  the  front  with  his  regiment, 
was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  December  13,  1861;  captain, 
December  29,  1863;  and  major,  June  16,  1865.  He  served 
out  his  term  of  three  years  and  re-enlisted  in  1864,  to  help  finish 
up  the  war.  He  was  never  sick,  never  absent,  always  on  duty, 
and  took  part  in  every  march  and  fight  that  his  company  and 
regiment  was  engaged  in.  He  was  a  brave  man,  an  efficient 
officer  and  a  good  drill  master.  He  was  beloved  by  his  own  men, 
and  was  a  most  companionable  and  pleasant  gentleman  among 
commissioned  officers. 

During  the  war  he  married  Miss  Ellen  Dawes  of  Boston, 
daughter  of  Robert  J.  Dawes  of  London,  England,  and  Annie 
Dawes  of  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia.  From  this  union  were  born  Annie 
D.,  Bertie  B.  (Mrs.  Lott)  Nellie  F.  (Mrs.  Peters),  John  Robert, 
and  Katie  E.  (Mrs.  Mossman),  the  latter  having  died  in  1900. 

The  Dawes  family  take  special  pride  in  the  fact  that  a  relative 
of  theirs,  Robert  F.  Daws,  was  noted  as  a  friend  and  associate 
of  Paul  Revere  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 


300  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

CAPTAIN   JAMES   SPLAINE. 

James  Splaine  was  born  in  Aharlow  House,  County  of  Cork, 
Ireland,  in  March,  1839.  He  was  educated  in  public  and  private 
schools  near  his  home  and  in  the  City  of  Cork.  With  the  other 
members  of  his  family,  he  left  his  native  place  in  1851,  reaching 
Boston,  Mass.,  October  3d  of  that  year,  and  Haverhill,  Mass., 
the  same  day.  He  lived  in  the  latter  city  until  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Civil  War,  when  catching  the  prevailing  enthusiasm  for  ad 
venture,  his  militant  nature  prompted  him,  as  it  did  many  young 
men  of  Massachusetts,  to  enlist  for  service  in  the  cause  of  the  Union. 
He  was  full  brother  of  Colonel  Henry  Splaine,  and  is  therefore 
entitled  to  every  consideration  accorded  his  brother  on  account 
of  parentage  and  lineage. 

He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  E,  unattached,  Seven 
teenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry,  Capt.  M.  C.  McNamara 
of  Haverhill,  April  21, 1861 ;  and  was  elected  third  lieutenant  shortly 
afterwards.  Soon  after  this  the  War  Department  ordered  that 
third  and  fourth  lieutenant  should  be  dropped,  which  placed 
Lieutenant  Splaine  back  in  the  ranks.  Soon  after  this  however, 
he  was  appointed  first  sergeant  of  the  company,  in  which  capacity 
he  went  to  the  front.  After  a  service  of  seven  months  as  first 
sergeant,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  second  lieutenant, 
January  31,  1862,  and  on  December  24  of  the  same  year,  was 
furthur  promoted  to  the  rank  of  first, lieutenant;  and  finally  after 
the  reorganization  of  the  Veteran  or  new  Seventeenth  Regiment, 
he  was  promoted  to  a  captaincy  (in  Company  A,)  August  10,  1864. 

Captain  James  Splaine  was  about  six  feet  in  height,  well 
proportioned,  of  graceful  carriage  and  soldierly  bearing.  He  was 
a  good  drill-master,  liked  by  his  men,  companionable  among  the 
officers,  generous,  forbearing  and  forgiving.  He  made  an  enviable 
reputation  as  an  intrepid  and  brave  officer.  He  served  all  through 
the  war,  having  been  in  every  engagement  in  which  his  regiment 
participated. 

One  of  the  veteran  comrades  who  served  under  Captain  Splaine 
in  Company  A  of  the  new  Seventeenth,  said  to  the  compiler  of 
thisjiistory :  "  Captain  Jim  Splaine  was  a  fine  man,  a  noble  fellow. 


1.  LT.-COL.  AVM.  W.  SMITH. 

l'.  D.VVJD  WAI, LACK,  Co.  "E" 

3.  LT.  WILLIAM  H.  TUKXKR. 

4.  LIEUT.  JAMES  IXMAN. 

o.  LIEUT.  LINUS  B.  COMIXS. 

G.  ('APT.  Jonx  K.  LLOYD. 

7.  WM.  D'ARCY  HALEY. 

lirFrs  HART,  Co.  "C." 

«>.  WM.  .1.  MLHPHY,  Co.  "C.' 


10.  LlKUT.    F.DWAHI)   P.  COTTLM,. 

11.  LIEUT.  HENRY  F.  MEKRILL. 

12.  LIEUT.  JERE  A.  ("IREELEY. 

13.  ('APT.  DAVID  F.  J^HOWX. 

14.  CAPT.  HORACE  DEXTER. 

15.  CAPT.  THOMAS  R.  KEEN  AN. 

16.  LIEUT.  I)L.  L.  GETCHELL. 

17.  CAPT.  GECJ.  H.  MORRELL. 

IS.  ADJUTANT  BARNABAS  A.  MANX'. 


BIOGRAPHIES.  301 

He  was  one  of  the  bravest  officers  in  the  Seventeenth  Regiment. 
He  never  sent  his  men  where  he  did  not  go  himself.     He  led  them.' ' 
Captain  Splaine  never  married.     He  died  in  Lynn,  Mass., 
at  the  age  of  thirty-five. 


CAPTAIN  JOSEPH  AUGUSTUS  MOORE. 

Joseph  A.  Moore  was  born  at  Gloucester,  Mass.,  February  11, 
1844.  After  completing  his  studies  in  the  Gloucester  High  School, 
and  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  began  his 
studies  to  become  a  civil  engineer  in  the  office  of  John  B.  Henck, 
who  was  afterwards  Professor  of  Civil  Engineering  in  the  Massa 
chusetts  Institute  of  Technology. 

In  July,  1861,  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Company  H,  Seventeenth  Regiment,  Massachusetts 
Volunteers,  and  was  promoted  through  the  different  grades  (includ 
ing  that  of  regimental  adjutant)  to  captain,  being  commissioned  as 
captain  of  a  veteran  company  before  he  was  twenty-one  years  old. 
His  promotion  was,  it  may  be  said,  the  result  of  good  conduct, 
zealous  and  meritorious  action  in  the  service,  and  coolness  and 
bravery  in  times  of  peril.  His  promotion  in  the  service  was  as 
rapid  as  it  was  almost  singular,  and  he  developed  a  fine  capacity 
in  every  line  of  duty  he  was  called  upon  to  act  in. 

Among  the  other  duties  Captain  Moore  was  called  upon  to 
discharge  was  that  of  acting  assistant  adjutant-general  of  the  bri 
gade  commanded  by  Colonel  Henry  Splaine.  He  was  assigned  in 
this  capacity  to  the  Third  Brigade,  and  afterwards  to  the  third 
division,  23d  Army  Corps,  and  when  discharged  in  July,  1865  was 
acting  in  this  capacity.  He  was  highly  recommended  by  his  regi 
mental,  brigade  and  division  commanders  for  a  captaincy  in  the 
regular  army,  but  sickness,  brought  on  in  the  line  of  duty,  prevented 
him  from  obtaining  the  position. 

It  is  an  old  saying  that  " Blood  will  tell," — or  rather  it  is  a 
recognition  of  the  now  acknowledged  fact  that  heredity  from  a  dis- 


302  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

tinguished  ancestry  has  much  to  do  with  the  makeup  of  an  indivi 
dual  in  matters  physical,  intellectual  and  moral,  and  Captain  Moore 
is  a  fine  illustration  of  the  truth  of  this  theory,  as  his  ancestry  on 
both  sides,  for  several  generations  (which  is  here  briefly  noted) 
will  testify. 

William  Moore,  who  was  a  cousin  of  Sir  Hamilton  Moore,  set 
tled  at  Fresh  Water  Cove,  Gloucester,  Mass.,  where  he  built  a 
house  in  or  before  the  year  1757. 

In  the  summer  of  1776,  while  in  a  boat  off  Old  House  Gove, 
and  in  view  of  his  home,  William  Moore  and  his  son  Joseph, — who 
was  born  at  Gloucester,  November  28, 1763,  were  taken  prisoners  by 
Captain  Lindsay,  claiming  William  Moore  as  a  British  subject 
liable  to  service  in  the  British  navy.  On  the  refusal  of  Moore  to 
join  the  crew  of  his  vessel  and  act  as  pilot  along  the  Massachusetts 
shore  and  become  a  traitor  to  his  adopted  country,  he  was  sent  to 
New  York  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  died  on  board  the  prison  ship 
"Jersey/ '  remaining  loyal  to  his  adopted  country  to  the  last. 

His  son  Joseph,  then  a  mere  lad,  was  set  on  shore  between 
Kettle  Cove  (now  Magnolia)  and  Manchester,  and  returned  to  his 
home.  Joseph  Moore  was  twice  married, — first  to  Hannah  Pul- 
sifer,  February  16,  1794;  and  second,  to  Betsey  (Elizabeth)  Fellows, 
September  26, 1814.  The  latter  was  a  descendant  of  William  Fellows, 
who  settled  in  Ipswich,  Mass.,  in  1642.  By  his  first  wife  he  had 
three  children,  and  by  the  second  wife,  eight  children, — one  of 
whom,— Joseph,  Jr.,  born  January  27,  1817, — was  the  father  of 
Captain  Joseph  A.  Moore. 

Joseph  Moore,  Jr.,  married  Mary  Olive  Lane  August  19,  1841, 
— Captain  Joseph  A.  Moore  being  an  only  child.  Mary  Olive 
Lane  was  the  daughter  of  Moses  Lane  and  Olive  (Fellows)  Lane 
of  Ipswich,  Mass., — the  latter  being  a  daughter  of  Nathan  Fellows, 
who  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  Mrs.  Moore  died  at  Roslin- 
dale,  Mass.,  at  the  home  of  her  son,  March  12,  1908,  aged  eighty- 
seven  years,  seven  months  and  eleven  days,  and  was  buried  at 
Mount  Adrish  Cemetery,  Annisquam,  Mass. 

Mrs.  Moore  had  also  a  line  of  ancestors  with  interesting  pio 
neer  histories.  John  Lane,  who  was  born  about  1653,  came  to 


BIOGRAPHIES.  303 

Gloucester  from  Falmouth,  Maine,  about  the  close  of  the  seventeenth 
century,  probably  on  the  destruction  of  that  place  by  the  Indians. 
He  was  the  son  of  James  Lane,  and  went  with  his  father,  in  1658, 
from  Maiden,  Mass.,  to  Casco  Bay,  where  he  lived  until  driven 
away  by  the  Indians  in  the  first  Indian  War.  His  father  was  killed 
in  a  fight  with  the  Indians.  One  of  the  descendants  of  John  Lane 
was  Moses  Lane,  who  was  born  December  14,  1781.  He  married 
Olive  Fellows  of  Ipswich,  Mass.,  who  had  a  son  (Moses  Augustus) 
and  a  daughter  (Mary  Olive)  mother  of  Captain  Moore.  Moses 
Augustus  Lane,  uncle  of  Captain  Moore  (born  January  11,  1823) 
was  a  gunner  (warrant  officer)  in  the  United  States  navy  from  1852 
to  his  retirement,  January  11,  1885,  and  served  all  through  the  war 
of  the  Rebellion.  He  died  October  31, 1888. 


CAPTAIN  CHARLES  0.  FELLOWS. 

Charles  Oliver  Fellows  was  born  in  Boston,  on  February  8, 
1845.  When  but  a  mere  child  his  family  moved  to  Chelsea,  Mass., 
where  Charles  spent  his  early  boyhood,  and  where  he  attended  the 
public  schools  of  that  town.  During  his  thirteenth  year  he  was 
sent  to  Peacham  Academy,  Vermont,  where  he  studied  for  a  period 
of  a  year  and  six  months.  He  then  returned  to  his  home  in  Chelsea. 

Like  most  American  boys,  young  Fellows  longed  for  adventure, 
and  sooner  than  settle  down  to  mechanical  or  commercial  pursuits, 
he  sought  a  sea-faring  life,  which  would  give  him  an  opportunity 
to  see  strange  lands  and  peoples.  He  accordingly  shipped  before 
the  mast,  and  made  several  voyages  to  foreign  lands,  his  last  cruise 
being  from  Liverpool  to  Boston  in  March,  1861.  On  his  arrival, 
he  found  the  country  deeply  agitated  by  the  secession  of  several  of 
the  Southern  States  and  the  prospect  of  civil  war. 

Young  Fellows  had  been  home  scarcely  a  month  when  the  cry 
"To  arms!" was  sounded.  Though  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  was 
among  the  first  in  Chelsea  to  enroll  himself  in  Company  H  of  the 
1st  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  command  of  Captain 
Carruth.  The  boy  soldier  soon  found  ample  opportunity  for  his 


304  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

adventurous  spirit,  for  it  was  not  long  after  enlistment  when  his 
regiment  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,which  was  fought  on 
July  21,  1861.  He  saw  some  other  fighting  and  some  severe  ser 
vice  during  the  fall  of  1861,  and  then,  to  his  surprise,  he  found  him 
self  transferred  to  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  and 
commissioned  second  lieutenant  on  December  13,  1861.  He  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant  August  13,  1862,  and 
finally  became  captain  August  4,  1864. 

Captain  Fellows  was  a  "chip  of  the  old  block,"  as  the  saying 
is,  his  father  being  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Seventeenth  Massa 
chusetts,  and  also  a  soldier  from  his  sixteenth  year.  Captain 
Fellows'  military  spirit  seems  to  have  come  to  him  by  inheritance, 
his  gallant  father  having  been  of  Revolutionary  and  1812  wrar 
lineage,  while  on  his  mother's  side  (she  being  Mary  Louise  Sprague 
of  Salem),  he  inherited  equally  proud  and  patriotic  blood,  the 
Spragues  having  figured  conspicuously  in  both  wars. 

Captain  Fellows  was  a  tall,  handsome  and  dashing  young 
fellow,  an  expert  at  drill,  a  good  commander  and  a  most  compan 
ionable  young  gentleman.  He  was  liked  and  respected  by  officers 
and  men,  and  was  a  brave,  capable  and  patriotic  officer,  never 
having  missed  a  march  or  a  fight  that  his  company  or  regiment 
participated  in. 

Captain  Fellows  was  married  November  27,  1867.  Seven 
children  were  born  to  them,  six  girls  and  one  boy,  all  now 
living  except  one  daughter,  all  now  married  except  one  daughter. 


CAPTAIN  THOMAS  R.  KEENAN. 

Captain  Keenan's  first  military  service  in  the  Civil  War  was 
as  private  in  the  Thirteenth  Massachusetts  Infantry  early  in  1861. 
He  was  second  lieutenant  in  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  In 
fantry  in  1862  and  first  lieutenant  in  1863.  He  was  captain  in  the 
56th  Massachusetts  Infantry  during  part  of  1864,  and  became 
lieutenant  in  the  Second  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery  during 
the  latter  part  of  that  year.  He  then  returned  to  the  Seventeenth 


1.  LIEUT.  JOHN  B.  HILL. 

2.  ASST.  SURG.  CHAS.  G.  A.  EAYERS. 
V>.  DOCTOR  I.  F.  GAL  LOUPE. 

4.  CAPT.  M.  C.  M  '\AMARA. 

5,  LIEUT.  SAMUEL  G.  KOBERTS. 


i  i 


6.  CORPL.  ANDREW  J.  TII.TON. 

7.  CAPT.  I.  N.  RICHARDSON. 

S.      ('APT.  LEVI  P.  THOMPSON-. 
9.     A-ST.  SI-RG.  WM.  H.  \V.  HINDS. 
10.     CAPT.  HENRY  B.  WEBBER. 
CAPT.  LEWIS  CANN. 


BIOGRAPHIES.  305 

Massachusetts  February  3,  1865,  as  captain.  He  was  finally  mus 
tered  out  of  service  July  11,  1865. 

Captain  Keenan  was  born  at  Lynnfield,  Mass.,  1841,  and  was 
the  son  of  Doctor  Keenan,  an  Irish  gentleman  of  undoubted  good 
standing  both  in  his  native  land  and  the  land  of  his  adoption. 

Captain  Keenan's  full  name  was  Thomas  Romney  Van  Tromp 
Keenan.  He  often  told  the  writer  that  there  was  a  strain  of  noble 
Dutch  blood  in  his  veins,  of  which  he  seemed  to  be  very  proud.  He 
was  six  feet  six  inches  in  his  bare  feet,  straight  as  an  arrow,  and  was 
soldierly  in  bearing,  and  a  handsome  fellow.  He  was  well  educated 
and  suave  and  gentlemanly  in  his  relations  with  everyone.  His 
conduct  was  at  all  times  above  reproach,  and  he  commanded  the 
respect  of  all  the  officers  and  men  of  the  regiment. 

He  was  brave  to  a  fault,  and  never  shirked  any  responsibility 
or  duty  which  fell  to  him.  He  was  a  proficient  drill-master,  a 
good  disciplinarian  without  being  cruel,  and  was  indeed  an  officer 
his  men  were  proud  to  follow. 

Captain  Keenan  saw  considerable  service  in  several  regiments. 
He  was  shot  through  the  neck,  in  action,  in  1864.  He  never 
fully  recovered  from  the  effects  of  this  wound,  which  finally  caused 
his  death  early  in  1867. 


CAPTAIN  LEWIS  CANN. 

Lewis  Cann  was  born  in  Yarmouth,  Nova  Scotia,  in  1837,  and 
was  the  second  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Anne  (Shaw)  Cann.  Lewis 
settled  in  Danvers,  Mass.,  in  1852,  and,  in  1859,  married  Miss 
Eliza  A.  Webb  of  Danvers,  Mass.  From  this  union  were  born 
six  children — Lewis  A.,  Herbert  L.,  Emma  Jane,  William  W,, 
Francis  W.  and  Elmer  E. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  in  1861,  when  excitement 
ran  high,  Lewis  Cann,  like  many  others,  being  stirred  with  patriot 
ism,  joined  Company  C  of  Danvers,  which  organization  became 
part  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry.  As  an 
enlisted  man  he  proved  to  be  a  good  soldier.  He  was  neat  and 
orderly  and  respectful  to  his  superiors.  He  had  not  served  very 


306  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

long  before  his  good  qualities  became  so  apparent  that  he  was  made 
sergeant  of  his  company.  New  honors  awaited  him,  for  on  April 
26,  1863,  he  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant,  and  on  May  4, 
1864,  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  first  lieutenant,  and  finally 
became  captain  November  21,  1864. 

As  a  soldier  and  a  commissioned  officer,  Captain  Cann  was  all 
that  his  superior  officers  could  wish  for.  He  was  a  model  soldier 
and  officer;  was  a  good  drill-master,  a  fine  company  commander 
and  brave  and  patriotic.  He  was  tactful,  resourceful  and  never 
lost  his  presence  of  mind,  even  under  the  most  trying  circum 
stances.  The  writer  recalls  two  occasions  in  the  service  of  Cap 
tain  Cann,  where  his  coolness  and  bravery  enabled  him  to  save 
his  company  from  capture  by  the  Confederates.  The  first  occasion 
was  at  Batchelder's  Creek,  N.  C.,  February  1,  1864,  where  a  de 
tachment  of  his  regiment  was  deserted  and  was  being  surrounded 
by  a  large  force  of  the  enemy.  When  the  command  was  called 
upon  to  surrender,  Captain  Cann,  with  his  company,  made  a  bold 
dash  for  the  woods,  and,  although  bullets  flew  thick  and  fast,  the 
little  command  escaped  with  the  loss  of  a  very  few  men. 

During  this  daring  movement,  Captain  Cann  and  his  little 
company  reached  the  camp  of  the  One  hundred  and  thirty-second 
New  York  Infantry,  and  although  the  captain  knew  that  his  posi 
tion  was  a  dangerous  one,  he  delayed  long  enough  to  destroy 
nearly  all  the  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  and  such  other  stores 
as  would  be  of  use  to  the  enemy.  He  then  pulled  down  the  gar 
rison  flag  and  saved  it,  and  as  he  and  his  men  were  going  out  at 
one  side  of  the  camp  the  Confederates  were  rushing  in  at  the  other 
side.  He  made  a  long  detour  to  avoid  the  enemy  and  reached  his 
camp  in  Newbern  the  next  day. 

The  second  occasion  where  Captain  Cann's  coolness  and  brav 
ery  enabled  him  to  save  his  company  from  capture  was  on  March 
9,  1865,  at  the  battle  of  Wise's  Forks,  N.  C.,  when  he  and  his  com 
pany  were  detached  and  connected,  temporarily,  with  the  brigade 
of  Colonel  Upham  of  General  Carter's  division  of  General  Schofield's 
army.  Captain  Cann  and  his  company  were  doing  picket  duty  on 
the  extreme  left  of  the  brigade,  and  observing  that  the  Confederates 
were  marching  clear  around  the  brigade,  he  at  once  notified  the 
brigade  commander  of  the  danger,  but  was  told  to  return  to  his 


••"•<• 


1.  R.P.NEWMAN. 

2.  LIEUT.  THOMAS  W.  FOSTER. 

3.  LIEUT.  CHAS.  C.  MOUSE. 

4.  SERGEANT  FRANK  G.  KEI.LEY,  Co.  "G." 

5.  SERGT.  MICHAEL  CARNEY. 

6.  JOSEPH  G.  KELLEY. 


10. 


HERBERT  SPLAINE. 
GEO.  F.  PUTNAM,  Co.  "C." 
CAPT.  SIDNEY  C.  BANCROFT. 
CHAS.  E.  FLANDERS. 


11.  J.  B.  MOORES. 

12.  AMOS  HOMANS. 


13.     1st  LIEUT.  MICHAEL  BURNS. 


BIOGRAPHIES.  307 

post,  and  hold  it  if  possible.  Bad  conditions  became  worse,  until 
finally  the  enemy  charged  the  position,  capturing  the  whole  brigade 
except  Captain  Cann  and  his  company.  Upon  being  called  upon 
to  surrender,  the  company  answered  with  a  volley,  then  made  their 
escape  through  the  thicket,  and  joined  their  regiment  on  the  fol 
lowing  morning.  During  this  movement,  Captain  Cann  lost  two 
men,  taken  prisoners,  and  had  four  others  wounded.  This  feat,  at 
the  time,  was  regarded  by  all  concerned  as  a  wise  and  brave  act. 
When  Captain  Cann  reported  to  his  regiment  with  company  al 
most  intact,  he  was  warmly  congratulated  and  thanked  by  Colonel 
Splaine  for  his  bravery  and  well-timed  dash  through  the  cordon 
which  the  enemy  had  almost  completed  around  General  Upham's 
brigade. 

Well  may  Captain  Cann's  children  be  proud  of  their  gallant 
father;  well  may  the  mother  be  proud  of  her  children's  father; 
and  well  may  his  town,  state  and  nation  be  proud  of  Captain  Lewis 
Cann. 


CAPTAIN  MALCOLM  SILLARS. 

Malcolm  Sillars  is  a  native  of  Ryegate,  Vt.,  where  he  was  born 
September  17,  1837.  When  but  eight  years  of  age,  his  parents 
removed  to  North  Andover,  Mass.,  where  he  went  to  school  in 
1850,  when  his  family  removed  to  Danvers,  Mass.,  where  he  con 
tinued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  town.  His 
first  work  was  in  Stevens'  factory  in  North  Andover,  where  flannel 
goods  were  made.  In  Danvers  he  worked  in  Tapley's  carpet 
factory,  but  this  work  not  being  to  his  liking,  he  started  in  to 
learn  the  trade  of  shoemaking  in  a  shoe  factory  in  Danvers. 

Malcolm  and  his  brother  William  Sillars,  who  was  younger, 
worked  at  the  same  business  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil 
War  in  1861,  when  both  enlisted  in  Company  C,  which  was  after 
wards  incorporated  in  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  Volunteer 
Infantry.  His  father,  Donald  Sillars,  also  enlisted  in  Company  K, 
23d  Regiment,  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry.  His  brother, 
William  died  in  Baltimore  of  typhoid  fever,  and  his  father  was 


308  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

killed  in  the  attack  on  Newbern,  N.  C.,  when  that  city  was  captured 
by  the  troops  under  General  Burnside. 

Captain  Sillars  enlisted  as  a  private,  but  soon  after  the  regi 
ment  reached  Baltimore,  Md.,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
corporal,  and  in  North  Carolina  was  promoted  to  first  sergeant. 
Afterward,  on  January  4,  1864,  he  was  again  promoted  to  quarter 
master-sergeant  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Regiment. 
On  July  4,  1864,  he  received  his  commission  as  second  lieutenant, 
and  was  assigned  to  Company  H  of  that  regiment. 

When  the  term  of  enlistment  of  the  men  of  the  regiment 
expired,  about  one-third  of  the  officers  and  men  re-enlisted  for  the 
war.  Lieutenant  Sillar's  was  one  of  them.  He  was  promoted  to 
first  lieutenant,  September  1,  1864,  and  to  captain  August  4,  1864. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  from  the  time  of  his  enlistment  on 
April  23,  1861,  until  his  muster-out,  July  11,  1865,  about  four 
years  and  three  months,  his  rise  from  the  ranks  was  steady  and 
continuous,  his  promotion  being  the  result  of  devotion  to  duty  and 
efficient  service  as  a  soldier.  What  is  most  remarkable  in  his  case 
is  that  during  his  whole  term  of  enlistment,  and  amid  the  fatigues 
of  the  march  and  perils  of  the  field,  as  well  as  danger  from  malaria, 
he  was  never  sick  or  unfit  for  duty  during  the  whole  term  of  his 
service. 

After  his  return  from  the  war,  he  entered  politics,  and  was 
elected  to  the  State  Legislature  from  Danvers  in  1886  and  1887. 
In  the  latter  year  he  projected  a  comprehensive  plan  for  the  en 
largement,  or  rather  the  extension  of  the  State  House,  and  advo 
cated  the  taking  of  the  old  reservoir  lot  on  Beacon  Hill  for  that 
purpose.  (Curiously  enough,  the  compiler  of  this  memorial 
history,  who  was  on  the  staff  of  the  "  Boston  Herald' '  was  appraised 
of  the  project  at  the  time,  and  wrote  up  the  scheme,  which  was 
published  in  the  "  Sunday  Herald"  of  May  15,  1887.)  This 
scheme,  -which  later  bore  fruit  in  the  present  remodeled  State  House 
and  its  extention,  was  afterwards  appropriated  from  the  originator 
without  credit.  It  was  first  known  as  the  "  Sillars  Plan/ '  and  was 
received  by  the  press  and  public  throughout  the  State  with  such 
favor  that  it  was  ultimately  adopted  and  carried  out  in  the  State 
House  as  it  is  today. 


BIOGRAPHIES.  309 

Captain  Sillars  has  for  many  years  held  the  office  of  inspector 
in  the  District  Police  of  Massachusetts,  and  up  to  July,  1908,  was 
on  active  duty.  At  that  time  he  was  taken  sick  with  stomach 
trouble,  from  which  he  suffered  greatly,  but  he  is  now  on  the  fair 
road  to  recovery.  His  iron  consititution  will  no  doubt  pull  him 
through  all  right. 

Among  his  other  services  to  his  country,  Captain  Sillars  has 
the  honor  of  being  the  father  of  one  of  the  largest  families  in 
Massachusetts,  and  one  of  the  finest  also.  On  August  20,  1861, 
he  married  Sarah  Putnam  Fuller,  daughter  of  Daniel  W.  and 
Clarissa  (Putnam)  Fuller.  By  this  marriage  there  were  five  sons 
and  two  daughters,  three  of  the  sons  and  one  daughter  of  whom  died 
in  infancy,  and  two  of  the  sons  and  one  daughter  are  living; 
namely,  Henry  M.,  born  May  16,  1864;  Walter  A.,  born  June  15, 
1866;  Alice  P.,  born  July  20,  1870.  His  wife,  Sarah  P.,  died 
November  20,  1874.  On  September  10,  1876,  he  married  Sarah 
E.  McDermott,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Donnelly)  Mc- 
Dermott.  By  this  marriage  there  were  thirteen  children;  seven 
daughters  and  six  sons,  namely,  Elizabeth,  born  October. 30,  1877; 
Malcolm,  born  December  8,  1878;  Mary,  born  March  29,  1880; 
Helen  M.,  born  January  24, 1882;  Charles  D.,  bom  August  6, 1883; 
James  McC.,born  August  8,  1885;  Susan,  born  November  8, 1886; 
Alexander  M.,  born  January  24,  1888;  William  A.,  born  February 
15,  1889;  Sarah  E.,  born  December  25,  1891;  Blanche  Janet,  born 
March  11,  1895;  Fred  G.,  born  February  23,  1897;  and  Pauline  R., 
born  July  14,  1898.  Thus,  in  all,  Captain  Sillars  is  the  father  of 
twenty  children,  sixteen  of  whom  are  living;  a  family  any  man  may 
well  be  proud  of,  and  may  they  prove  worthy  successors  of  noble 
parents.  There  is  no  "  race  suicide' '  in  this  fine  family. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  JAMES  SMITH. 

Lieutenant  James  Smith  was  one  of  four  brothers  who  joined 
Company  C  of  Danvers,  at  the  out-break  of  the  Civil  War,  as  a 
private.  He  is  a  full  brother  of  Lieut.-Col.  William  W.  Smith, 


310  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

of  the  same  regiment,  and  is  therefore,  entitled  to  all  the  honor  of 
race  and  parentage  that  his  brother,  Colonel  Smith  can  boast. 

Lieutenant  Smith,  although  a  private  at  the  opening  of  the 
war,  soon  forged  his  way  to  the  front,  becoming  in  turn,  sergeant, 
1st  sergeant  ,  2d  and  1st  lieutenant  in  his  own  regiment.  During 
his  long  term  of  service  he  showed  himself  at  all  times  an  able, 
brave  and  upright  soldier  and  officer.  He  was  a  man  of  unblemish 
ed  character;  dear  to  his  associate  officers  and  men,  and  as  one  who 
reflected  honor  on  his  company,  his  town,  state  and  nation. 

He  has  been  a  successful  farmer  and  merchant  in  his  adopted 
state  of  Kansas,  where  he  now  resides,  admired  and  respected  in 
his  declining  years  by  all  who  know  him.  Lieutenant  Smith  has 
helped  with  material  and  good  advice  in  the  writing  of  his  regi 
mental  history. 


ROLAND  FRANK  LEWIS. 

(ONE  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  HISTORY.) 

Roland  F.  Lewis  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  October  28,  1844. 
On  July  1,  1861,  when  but  a  schoolboy  in  his  seventeenth  year, 
he  enlisted  for  three  years  in  the  Kimball  Guards  of  Rockport, 
on  Fire  Island,  Salem,  Mass.,  which  was  mustered  in  as  Company 
G,  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  participated  in  all  the  marches  and  campaigns  of  the  regiment 
in  Maryland,  Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  He  re-enlisted  in  the 
field  to  serve  in  the  new  organization  of  the  Seventeenth,  in 
Company  A,  and  served  with  it  to  the  end  of  the  war,  having  an 
honorable  record  as  a  soldier. 

After  his  discharge  he  was  employed  in  New  York,  and  later 
learned  a  trade,  and  worked  for  ten  years  at  Beverly.  In  1886, 
he  was  appointed  watchman  in  the  United  States  Sub-Treasury 
in  Boston,  which  position  he  has  held  ever  since. 


BIOGEAPHIES.  311 

RICHARD  PURTILL,  ALBERT  J.  COOK,  BENJAMIN  P. 
ROGERS,  SAMUEL  J.  FORD,  ANDREW  P.  LEWIS. 

Andrew  Park  Lewis,  Jr.,  was  born  at  Newburj^port,  Mass., 
January  19,  1843.  He  was  enrolled  as  a  member  of  the  "City 
Grays"  of  Newburyport,  May  10,  1861,  which  corps  afterwards 
became  Company  A,  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry 
Volunteers,  and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at 
Lynnfield,  Mass.,  July  22,  1861. 

Lewis,  after  serving  his  term  of  enlistment,  re-enlisted  as  a 
veteran  volunteer  on  January,  4,  1864.  He  was  private  and  cor 
poral  in  Company  A,  and  was  transferred  to  Company  F,  as 
sergeant  in  February,  1865.  He  was  on  all  marches  and  in  all 
fights  in  which  his  regiment  and  company  participated.  He  was 
mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war,  July  11, 1865. 

Albert  James  Cook  was  born  at  Newburyport,  Mass.,  Sep 
tember  8,  1841.  He  was  enrolled  in  the  "City  Grays' 'of  New 
buryport  on  May  10,  1861,  which  corps  afterwards  became 
Company  A,  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry  Volunteers 
and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at  Lynnfield, 
Mass.,  July  22,  1861. 

After  having  served  his  term  of  enlistment  in  the  field,  he 
re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  volunteer,  January  5,  1864.  He  was 
private  and  corporal  in  his  company,  and  was  on  all  the  marches 
and  in  all  the  engagements  in  which  his  company  and  regiment 
took  part.  He  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  the  close  of  the 
war,  July  11,1865. 

Samuel  James  Ford  was  born  at  Newburyport,  Mass.,  June  12, 
1843.  He  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Seventeenth  Massachusetts 
Regiment,  October  26,  1861.  He  re-enlisted  in  the  field  as  a 
veteran  volunteer  on  January  4,  1864.  He  served  as  private  and 
corporal  in  his  company,  and  was  transferred  to  Company  E, 
February  9,  1865.  He  was  mustered  out  at  expiration  of  service, 
July  11,  1865.  He  participated  in  all  the  engagements  in  which 
his  company  and  regiment  took  part,  and  never  lost  a  march. 


312  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Richard  Purtill  was  born  at  Newburyport,  Mass.,  July  22, 
1847.  He  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Seventeenth  Massachusetts 
Regiment,  March  1, 1862,  and  re-enlisted  in  the  field  as  a  veteran 
volunteer  on  January  5,  1864.  He  was  transferred  as  corporal 
to  Company  F,  in  February,  1865. 

Purtill  was  the  youngest  man  bearing  arms  in  the  regiment 
at  the  time  of  his  first  enlistment,  he  then  being  only  fourteen 
years  and  eight  months  old. 

Richard  Purtill's  father,  John  Purtill,  served  in  the  same  com 
pany  and  regiment  with  his  son  during  the  war.  They  never 
missed  a  march  or  an  engagement  in  which  their  regiment  partici 
pated.  Both  were  mustered  out  of  service  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
July  11, 1865. 

Benjamin  Proctor  Rogers  was  born  in  Byfield,  Rowley,  Mass., 
1845.  He  was  enlisted  in  the  "City  Grays"  of  Newburyport, 
May  21,  1861,  which  afterwards  became  Company  A,  of  the 
Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  at  Lynnfield,  Mass.,  July  22,  1861.  He 
enlisted  in  the  field  as  a  veteran  volunteer,  January  4, 1864. 

Rogers  took  part  in  all  marches  and  fights  that  his  company 
and  regiment  were  engaged  in.  He  was  mustered  out  of  service 
at  the  close  of  the  war,  July  11, 1865. 

The  writer  of  the  foregoing  sketches  has  good  reason  to  know 
whereof  he  writes  when  he  says  that  the  five  men  whose  portraits 
are  grouped  at  the  opening  of  these  sketches,  were  good,  brave, 
patriotic  and  well-tried  soldiers  in  the  service  of  their  country. 
Their  unselfishness  is  well  proven  when  the  reader  realizes  that 
the  cost  of  the  portraits  and  the  sketches  herewith  given  has  been 
defrayed  by  themselves,  thereby  making  no  cost  to  the  committee 
on  History. 


CHAPTER  XL 


TAKING  THE  FIELD — MARCH  4,  1865 — SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE — COM 
POSITION  OF — GENERAL  CARTER  COMMANDING  DIVISION; 
GENERAL  Cox  COMMANDING  THE  CORPS  AND  GENERAL 
SCHOFIELD  COMMANDING  THE  ARMY — SKIRMISHING  WITH  THE 
ENEMY — THROWING  UP  WORKS  AT  WISE'S  FORKS — A  REAL 
ROMANCE  OF  THE  WAR — CHARLES  S.  BOLTON,  A  HERO — BAT 
TLE  OF  WISE'S  FORKS,  PARTS  1,  2,  3  AND  4 — CAPTAIN  FISH'S 
POP  GUNS — STRENGTHENING  OUR  WORKS — A  WAR  SONG — 
CAPTURE  OF  UPHAM'S  BRIGADE,  AS  TOLD  BY  GENERAL  CAR 
TER — COMPLETE  VICTORY, WITH  JOY  AROUND  THE  CAMP  FIRES. 

To  resume  our  narrative:  The  command  reached  Newbern 
at  5 :30  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  of  March,  1865,  and  proceeded 
at  once  by  train  to  Batchelder's  Creek,  and  thence  by  march  to 
Core  Creek  reaching  there  at  4:45  P.  M.  Here  Colonel  Splaine 
received  orders  to  take  command  of  the  Third  Brigade,  second  Di 
vision,  District  of  Beaufort,  the  division  being  commanded  by  Bri 
gadier  General  S.  P.  Carter.  Splaine's  Brigade  consisted  of  the 
Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  Twenty-fifth  Massachu 
setts  Volunteers,  Third  New  York  Heavy  Artillery  and  five  hun 
dred  men  of  western  regiments  who  had  been  unable  to  join  their 
own  command.  These  latter  were  organized  into  a  battalion  and 
commanded  by  the  senior  captain. 

On  the  morning  of  March  5th,  at  7  A.  M.,  took  up  the  march 
for  Dover  Cross  Roads,  reaching  that  point  at  4 :30  P.  M.  On  March 
6,  at  noon,  took  up  the  march  for  Wise's  Forks,  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  of  Splaine's  Brigade  having  the  advance. 

About  3  P.  M.,  the  brigade  was  resting  on  the  railroad  bed, — 
General  Carter  and  staff  being  in  the  act  of  selecting  a  defensive 

[313] 


314  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

position,  as  they  knew  the  enemy  was  in  close  proximity, — when 
suddenly  firing  was  heard  in  the  direction  taken  by  Carter,  and 
almost  immediately  after  a  staff  officer  came  galloping  back  with 
the  report  that  Carter's  party  had  been  fired  upon  and  was  in  dan 
ger  of  capture.  Thereupon  Splaine  sprang  into  his  saddle,  shout 
ing:  " Major  Smith,  bring  the  brigade  up  in  quick  time!  First 
company  of  the  Seventeenth  forward,  double  quick!' '  and  on  reach 
ing  the  scene  of  the  firing,  ordered:  " First  platoon  as  skirmishers! 
Second  platoon  in  reserve!  Give  it  to  them,  lads!"  There  was  brisk 
firing  for  a  few  minutes,  the  men  of  the  Seventeenth  driving  the 
enemy  and  capturing  two  of  them.  Captain  Thomas  of  General 
Carter's  staff  had  his  hat  shot  away,  and  although  the  party  escaped 
uninjured,  it  is  safe  to  say  that  were  it  not  for  the  prompt  action 
of  the  men  of  the  Seventeenth,  Carter  and  his  party  would  have 
been  captured  and  perhaps  injured.  Splaine's  brigade  now  coming 
up,  was  at  once  assigned  to  a  place  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  posi 
tion,  which  a  few  days  after  became  the  scene  of  the  battle  of 
Wise's  Forks.  Shortly  afterwards  the  divisions  of  Palmer  and 
Ruger  came  up  and  were  posted  further  to  the  right.  Activity  was 
now  the  order  of  the  day,  and  everyone  helped  to  throw  up  breast 
works,  which  were  greatly  strengthened  the  following  day,  as  will 
be  more  fully  told  in  Comrade  Hugh  Young's  account  of  the  battle, 
which  follows. 

On  March  7,  work  on  the  line  of  defences  continued,  and  when 
night  came  the  troops  were  well  entrenched  and  ready  for  anything. 


A  REAL  ROMANCE  OF  WAR, 

Just  here  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  relate  a  peculiar  and 
unusual  circumstance  of  the  war — a  romantic  incident,  in  fact. 
The  morning  report  for  March  7,  of  the  Twenty-fifth  Massachusetts, 
a  part  of  Splaine's  brigade,  showed  one  captain  absent  without 
leave.  Captain  Harrington,  in  command  of  that  regiment,  was 
called  to  headquarters  to  explain  the  absence  of  the  missing  man, 
He  stated  that  the  young  man  was  about  to  marry  an  estimable 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  315 

young  lady  residing  in  Newbern,  the  daughter  of  an  army  officer, 
not  a  combatant,  and  that  all  preparations  had  been  made  for  the 
wedding,  invitations  sent  out,  etc.,  when  the  forward  movement 
of  the  army  was  announced. 

Then  the  young  captain  applied  to  General  Palmer  for  leave 
of  two  days  to  fulfil  his  promise  of  marriage.  This  request  was 
refused.  The  young  captain  was  in  a  sad  plight.  What  was  he 
to  do?  Should  he  refuse,  then,  the  maiden  of  his  choice,  and  disap 
point  her  and  their  many  friends,  or  was  he  to  disobey  the  orders 
of  his  superiors  in  the  army?  He  very  gallantly  chose  the  awfully 
dangerous  course  of  leaving  camp  without  leave  sooner  than  break 
his  promise  to  the  woman  he  loved. 

Upon  receiving  this  information,  Colonel  Splaine  requested 
Captain  Harrington  to  change  the  morning  report,  but  received  a 
flat  refusal.  Splaine  said,  "You  will,  captain;"  and  the  captain 
answered  that  he  would  not.  Splaine  then  turned  to  headquarters 
clerk  and  said,  "Make  out  an  order  for  Captain  F.  of  the  Twenty- 
fifth  Massachusetts  and  a  sergeant  and  ten  men  of  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  to  proceed  to  Newbern  for  the  purpose  of  storing 
knapsacks  and  certain  camp  and  garrison  equipage  hastily  left  be 
hind  and  now  improperly  stored, — the  officers  and  men  to  return 
to  their  commands  as  soon  as  the  work  has  been  done.' ' 

Splaine  rode  over  to  the  headquarters  of  General  Cox  and  ex 
plained  the  facts  to  him.  His  approval  was  freely  given,  and  the 
sergeant  and  ten  men  went  to  Newbern  on  the  next  train,  the 
sergeant  taking  a  confidential  letter  from  Colonel  Splaine  to  Cap 
tain  F.  telling  the  captain  what  had  transpired  at  the  front  and 
advising  him  to  see  that  the  property  referred  to  was  stored  with  an 
authorized  quartermaster,  to  consummate  his  marriage  as  he  had 
agreed  to  and  then  return  to  the  front  with  all  haste. 

Harrington  was  compelled  to  change  the  morning  report,  and 
gallant  captain  F.  was  saved  from  a  courtmartial.  The  captain 
was  married  according  to  program,  stored  the  property,  taking  the 
quartermaster's  receipt  for  it,  and  in  command  of  the  detail,  re 
turned  to  his  regiment  on  the  9th  of  March.  He  was  not  back 
more  than  an  hour  when  he  was  ordered  to  take  charge  of  his 
company  on  the  skirmish  line,  and  he  had  not  been  out  there  more 


316  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

than  two  hours  before  he  was  wounded.     The  wound  was  a  bad  one, 
but  not  necessarily  dangerous. 

Colonel  Splaine  learning  from  the  surgeon  that  Captain  F. 
could  bear  a  short  ride  on  the  train,  had  the  young  hero  sent  to  his 
bride  that  same  afternoon.  Although  she  nursed  him  tenderly, 
he  was  never  able  to  rejoin  his  regiment.  He  recovered  his  full 
strength  in  time,  and  was  honorably  discharged.  Colonel  Splaine 
knew  the  bride  personally,  and  knew  her  to  be  a  charming  daugh 
ter  of  Massachusetts.  (Within  recent  years  Colonel  Splaine  has 
learned  that  the  couple  reside  in  the  western  country,  living  happily 
and  prosperously  and  blessed  with  many  children.) 


A   HERO  OF  COMPANY  A,  SEVENTEENTH. 

In  the  afternoon  of  March  7,  Colonel  Splaine  sent  for  Charles 
S.  Bolton  of  Company  A,  and  said  to  him:  "Bolt-on,  I  have  your 
furlough  at  last.  Here  it  is,  and  transportation  also,  and  now  I 
want  you  to  take  the  next  train  for  Newbern,  and  there  board  the 
first  steamer  going  North."  Bolton  asked  if  the  next  day  would 
not  do  as  well.  Colonel  Splaine  said  that  the  soldier  must  go  today 
and  that  the  train  would  start  in  about  an  hour's  time.  Bolton 
said,  "Well,  colonel,  I  don't  see  any  need  of  hurry  about  it.  I 
have  my  furlough,  and  that  is  the  main  thing.' ' 

Becoming  a  little  irritated  at  the  obstinacy  of  the  soldier, 
Splaine  said,  "Now,  Bolton,  you  know  that  I  have  worked  like 
a  beaver  to  secure  your  furlough,  which  has  been  unlawfully  kept 
from  you  for  over  a  year.  You  know  that  my  first  official  act, 
after  taking  command  of  the  regiment,was  to  place  you  in  Company 
A,  the  company  of  your  choice  at  re-enlistment,  and  which  right 
had  been  denied  you  by  officers  high  in  rank.  You  are  the  only 
one  of  the  veterans  who  re-enlisted  in  the  field  who  has  not  been 
home  to  see  your  friends,  and  now  here  you  are,  with  furlough  and 
transportation  in  your  hand,  and  yet  you  hesitate  about  going 
home." 


317 

Bolton  still  stubborn,  said:  "Colonel,  you  seem  to  be  in  a 
hurry  to  get  rid  of  me.  Why  won't  you  let  me  remain  until  to 
morrow?"  Colonel  Splaine  said:  "Now,  no  more  nonsense  about 
it.  Start  for  that  train  and  go  home  and  see  your  friends  while 
you  have  the  opportunity  to  do  so.  This  may  be  a  very  long  march 
and  as  we  go  into  the  interior,  circumstances  may  arise  which  will 
destroy  your  chances  of  ever  enjoying  that  furlough  among  your 
friends."  Bolton  said:  "Ah,  colonel,  I  know  what  the  trouble 
is.  You  know  that  we  are  going  to  have  a  battle  and  don't  want 
me  to  take  part  in  it,  for  you  fear  that  I  might  not  go  home  to  my 
friends  with  a  whole  skin." — "No,  No,  Bolton.  I  simply  want 
you  to  go  home  on  your  well-earned  furlough. — and  now  start  for 
the  train." 

Bolton,  still  declining  to  take  the  advice  of  his  commander, 
said  he  preferred  to  wait  until  the  morrow.  Colonel  Splaine,  feel 
ing  for  the  poor  fellow,  thought  he  would  tell  him  something  that 
would  send  him  running  for  the  train.  He  said:  "Well,  Charley, 
I  may  as  well  tell  you — but  you  must  not  tell  anybody  else — we 
fight  tomorrow,  and  therefore  I  want  you  to  go  right  home  and 
enjoy  your  furlough."  Bolton  looked  at  his  commander  a 
moment,  and  then  said:  "I  won't  go  home,  but  will  stay  with 
rny  comrades  and  help  them  to  fight  it  out.' ' 

He  stayed  with  his  command,  and  on  the  morrow,  in  Splaine's 
old  veteran  company,  Bolton  had  all  the  fighting  he  wanted.  At 
one  time  during  the  day,  when  his  company  and  others  had  cap 
tured  a  piece  of  cannon  from  the  enemy,  his  command  was  over 
powered  and  compelled  to  make  a  hasty  retreat.  Bolton,  among 
others,  was  badly  wounded,  and  in  order  to  save  himself,  crawled 
under  the  bank  of  a  stream,  where  he  laid  twenty-two  hours,  partly 
immersed  in  the  water,  and  when  found  by  his  comrades  next  day, 
was  more  dead  than  alive.  During  his  hiding  he  did  not  dare  to 
call  for  help,  fearing  that  such  calls  would  bring  enemies  instead  of 
friends. 

The  surgeon  said  it  was  fortunate  that  Bolton' s  wounded  limb 
had  lain  in  the  water  so  long,  as  the  chill  produced  by  the  water 
probably  saved  his  life,  but  it  was  probable  that  amputation  of 
the  leg  would  become  a  necessity.  As  time  went  on,  however,  the 


318  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

surgeon  concluded  that  the  wounded  man  was  doing  so  well  that  he 
had  hopes  of  his  recovery  without  having  to  resort  to  amputation. 

After  many  weeks  Bolton  was  so  far  restored  to  health  that  he 
was  sent  home  on  an  indefinite  furlough, — not  his  veteran  furlough, 
and  was  finally  discharged  with  honor  from  the  army  in  which  he 
had  so  bravely  served. 

Charles  S.  Bolton  was  a  brave  soldier,  and  later  became  an 
honorable  citizen  of  Roxbury,  Mass.  He  served  for  many  years 
as  superintendent  of  Faneuil  Hall,  but  up  to  the  day  of  his  death 
was  not  free  from  suffering  on  account  of  his  wound,  and  was  com 
pelled  to  wear  crutches  all  the  time.  He  is  survived  by  a  son,  Hon. 
Fred  E.  Bolton,  who  is  well-known  among  prominent  Bostonians, 
and  who,  at  this  writing,  is  one  of  the  principal  assessors  of  Boston. 


The  next  day,  March  8,  1865,  the  battle  of  Wise's  Forks 
opened.  This  battle,  together  with  a  preliminary  account  of  the 
assemblage  and  movements  of  the  Union  troops  engaged  in  it,  is 
well  and  graphically  described  by  Private  Hugh  Young  of  Com 
pany  B,  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  as  follows: 

BATTLE  OF  WISE'S  FORKS. 


UNION  FORCES  ENGAGED  IN  IT;  THEIR  MOVEMENTS  AND  INCIDENTS 
LEADING  UP  TO  IT. 

BY  HUGH  YOUNG,  A  MINUTE  MAN  cV'Gl. 

Hugh  Young  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  at  Lynn,  Mass.,  April 
15,  1861,  in  Company  F,  Eighth  Massachusetts  Militia,  for  three 
months'  service,  and  w^as  discharged  therefrom  August  1,  1861. 
His  next  enlistment  was  in  the  United  States  Navy  at  Boston, 
Mass.,  September  27,  1861,  for  one  year,  during  which  time  he 
served  on  the  barque  "  Ethan  Allen"  and  on  the  ship  "  National 
Guard,' '  and  was  discharged  from  the  last  named  vessel  at  the  city 
of  New  York,  September  30,  1862. 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  319 

He  again  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Eighth  Massachusetts  Regi 
ment  Infantry  at  Boston,  Mass.,  for  nine  months,  and  served  from 
October  31,  1862,  until  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  August 
7,  1863. 

His  last  enlistment  was  at  Lynn,  Mass.,  February  22,  1864, 
in  Company  C,  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Regiment.  In  July 
of  the  same  year  he  was  transferred  to  Company  B  of  the  same 
regiment,  and  discharged  therefrom  July  11,  1865,  at  Greensboro, 
North  Carolina,  and  received  honorable  discharge  papers  at  Read- 
ville,  Mass.,  July  27,  1865. 


PART  I. 

On  the  second  of  March,  Carter's  division  was  ordered  to  the 
intersection  of  the  Neuse  and  Dover  roads,  leaving  one  brigade 
there,  moving  thence  by  the  Dover  road  to  the  crossing  of  Core 
Creek,  arid  Palmer's  division  was  to  march  by  the  railroad,  send 
ing  artillery  and  wagons  under  escort  of  Carter's  division.  Heavy 
rains  so  increased  the  difficulties  of  moving  through  a  country 
which  at  best  is  an  almost  continuous  swamp,  that  it  was  not  until 
the  4th  that  the  two  divisions  reached  their  destination. 

Our  brigade  (the  third  of  Carter's  division)  was  composed  of 
the  following  troops:  The  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry, 
commanded  by  Major  W.  W.  Smith;  Company  A,  Third  New  York 
Artillery,  commanded  by  Captain  Samuel  P.  Russell;  and  the 
Twenty-fifth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  commanded  by  Captain 
Samuel  Harrington;  and  four  hundred  provisional  troops  from 
Camp  Distribution,  Virginia.  The  following  were  announced  as 
officers  of  the  brigade:  Captain  J.  A.  Moore  of  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts,  acting  assistant  adjutant  general,  acting  assistant 
inspector  general  and  acting  aide-de-camp;  Lieutenant  Horace 
Dexter,  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  Brigade  quartermaster;  Assist 
ant  Surgeon  John  T.  Walton,  One  hundred  third  Pennsylvania 
Infantry,  brigade  surgeon;  the  brigade  being  commanded  by  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Henry  Splaine  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts, 
and  the  division  by  Brigadier-General  S.  P.  Carter.  Our  brigade  was 
fortunate  in  being  under  the  general  direction  of  these  officers.  The 


320  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

division  commander  brought  with  him  from  the  western  armies, 
a  high  reputation  for  every  soldierly  quality,  and  the  brigade  com 
mander  was  personally  known  as  a  brave  and  gallant  officer,  whose 
lead  it  was  an  honor  to  follow. 

On  the  4th,  Ruger's  division  of  the  Twenty-third  corps  having 
arrived  at  Newbern,  was  ordered  to  join  Palmer  at  Core  Creek, 
which  it  did  on  the  evening  of  the  fifth,  at  which  time  also  the  re 
pair  of  the  railroad  to  Core  Creek  was  completed.  There  being 
but  fifty  wagons  for  all  purposes  in  the  whole  district,  but  little 
quartermaster's  stores  accompanied  the  army,  and,  although  we 
were  short  of  rations,  on  the  same  date, — the  5th, — an  order  was 
issued  for  further  advance. 

"  HEADQUARTERS  DISTRICT  OF  BEAUFORT, 
CORE  CREEK,  N.  C.,  March  5, 1865. 

"  The  first  and  second  divisions,  district  of  Beaufort,  will  move 
at  seven  o'clock  tomorrow  morning  to  position  at  Gum  Swamp, 
beyond  the  crossing  of  the  railroad  and  the  Dover  Road.  The 
Infantry  of  General  Palmer's  division  will  move  directly  up  the 
railroad;  w^agons  and  artillery  moving  by  the  most  practicable 
route  to  the  rear  onto  the  Dover  road,  and  thence  to  Gum  Swamp, 
in  rear  of  General  Carter's  division  and  train.  General  Carter's 
division  will  move  by  the  Dover  road,  General  Ruger's  division, 
Twenty-third  corps,  will  remain  in  camp  tomorrow,  but  General 
Ruger  will  cause  a  working  party  to  be  put  on  the  cross-road  lead 
ing  from  the  railroad  to  the  Dover  road  near  General  Carter's 
present  camp,  and  have  the  roads  put  in  thorough  repair  for  passing 
teams  and  artillery. 

"By  command  of  Major-General  Cox. 
THEO.  Cox,  Major  and  Assistant  Adjutant  General." 

On  March  6,  the  cavalry  on  the  Trent  road  was  ordered  to 
advance  and  open  communication  with  the  column  by  way  of  Wise's 
Forks,  if  practicable.  One  squadron  and  the  company  of  Captain 
Graham  (First  Regiment,  North  Carolina  Union  Troops,)  with 
two  howitzers,  were  detached  and  ordered  across  the  Neuse  road 
to  observe  and  guard  it,  and  the  brigade  of  Carter's  division  re 
joined  the  command. 


1.  MAJOR  JONES  FRAN KLE. 

2.  WILLIAM  H.  EATON,  Co.  "  B." 

3.  1st  LIEUT.  HENRY  G.  HYDE. 

4.  JOSHUA  YOUNGER,  Co.  "G". 

5.  SF.RGT.  JOSEPH  C.  RICHARDSON. 

6.  HERMAN  F.  MORSE,  Co.  "G". 


7.  CAPT.  THOMAS  O.  "\VEIR. 

S.  THOMAS  H.  JACKMAN  OF  PEADODY. 

9.  MAJOR  LUTHER  DAY. 

10.  LIEUT.  JAMES  SMITH. 

11.  JOHN  H.  TYLER,  Co.  "G." 

12.  LIEUT.  THOMAS  W.  GooowiN,~Co.  "A/' 


3.     RUFUS  L.  OILMAN,  Co.  "F." 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  321 

Classen's  brigade  of  Palmer's  division  being  thrown  forward 
as  an  advance  guard  toward  Wise's  Forks,  at  a  point  near  Tracy 
Swamp,  met  the  enemy  in  a  pretty  strong  position.  Captain  Gra 
ham,  however,  with  his  howitzers,  aided  by  two  companies  of  the 
One  hundred  thirty-second  New  York  Infantry,  under  Captain 
Green,  drove  the  enemy  from  position  to  position  until  finally 
Wise's  Forks  was  reached  about  4  p.  M.,  on  March  6th. 

Although  the  railroad  had  only  been  completed  two  miles  be 
yond  Core  Creek,  and  the  troops  were  short  of  rations,  on  Tuesday 
morning,  the  seventh  inst.,  General  Cox  ordered  a  further  advance, 
and  Palmer  sent  his  second  brigade  (Classen's)  forward  to  the 
Dover  road  crossing  of  Southwest  Creek,  one  mile  and  a  half  in 
front  of  Wise's  Forks,  and  his  other  two  brigades  wrere  ordered  to 
advance.  The  first  brigade  Avas  sent  up  the  railroad  with  Colonel 
James  Stewart's  Ninth  New  Jersey  Infantry  in  advance.  This 
brigade  was  composed  of  the  Second  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery 
serving  as  infantry,  and  was  commanded  by  Brigadier-General 
Harland,  U.  S.  A.  The  advance  guard  encountered  the  pickets 
of  the  enemy  near  the  British  road.  The  skirmishers  pressed  on 
vigorously,  driving  the  Confederates  into  their  works.  Here  was 
discovered  a  work  of  the  enemy  mounting  two  pieces  of  artillery, 
which  opened  fire  upon  our  advance;  but  by  a  well-directed  fire 
from  a  section  of  Captain  Mercer's  Battery  C,  Third  New  York 
Artillery,  aided  by  the  skirmishers  of  the  Ninth  New  Jersey,  the 
guns  of  the  enemy  were  soon  silenced.  The  Twenty-third  Massa 
chusetts  Infantry,  Colonel  John  M.  Raymond,  furnished  a  gallant 
support  for  this  section. 

The  third  Brigade,  under  command  of  Colonel  Horace  Bough- 
ton,  consisting  of  the  Eighteenth  Wisconsin  Infantry,  and  two 
battalions  of  provisional  troops,  were  moved  to  the  crossing  of  the 
railroad  at  Southwest  Creek  to  command  that  point. 

General  Cox  directed  Carter  to  support  Palmer,  and  Carter 
marched  his  division  from  Gum  Swamp  (where  it  had  encamped 
the  preceding  night)  toward  Wise's  Forks,  belowr  Southwest  Creek, 
and  five  miles  from  Kinston,  where  we  arrived  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  seventh,  and  that  night  bivouacked  in  a  pine  grove;  and  from 
there  the  second  brigade  (Colonel  Upham)  of  Carter's  division 


322  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

moved  down  the  British  road  to  Jackson's  Mills,  near  Southwest 
Creek,  and  relieved  the  second  brigade,  first  division.  The  second 
brigade  of  Carter's  division  was  composed  of  the  Fifteenth  Connecti 
cut  Infantry,  Twenty-seventh  Massachusetts  Infantry  and  a  batta 
lion  of  provisional  troops,  the  brigade  being  commanded  by  Colo 
nel  Charles  L.  Upham  of  the  Fifteenth  Connecticut.  A  detach 
ment  of  the  Twelfth  New  York  Cavalry  was  ordered  to  scout  the 
country  well  to  the  left  of  Upham's  command,  and  to  protect  that 
flank,  one  section  of  Battery  I,  Third  New  York  Artillery,  being 
sent  to  help  Upham  in  maintaining  his  position,  this  point  being 
about  two  miles  west  of  Wise's  Forks  on  the  Dover  road.  Ruger's 
division  was  now  ordered  from  Core  Creek  to  Gum  Swamp,  ar 
riving  there  about  noon,  where  it  would  be  about  three  miles  from 
Palmer  and  Carter,  and  could  support  either  in  case  of  need. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Twelfth  New  York  Cavalry,  Colonel 
James  L.  Savage,  had  dismantled  all  the  bridges  over  Southwest 
Creek,  while  Upham's,  Harland's,  Boughton's  and  Classen's  bri 
gades  had  found  the  enemy  strongly  entrenched,  and  a  brisk  skir 
mish  took  place,  which  after  a  while  died  down  to  picket-firing  for 
the  night,  a  chain  of  pickets  being  now  established  from  right  to 
left  for  six  miles  along  our  front  and  flanks. 

The  march  from  Newbern  to  Wise's  Forks,  over  roads  and 
swamps  softened  by  recent  storms,  made  heavy  marching  for  the 
troops.  The  roads  most  of  the  way  were  heavily  blockaded  by 
felled  trees,  which  had  to  be  cut  through  to  allow  the  passage  of 
our  wagons,  and  our  pioneers  were  often  compelled  to  stand  knee 
deep  in  water  while  corduroying  the  roads  with  brush  and  logs  to 
enable  our  artillery  and  wagons  to  pass  over  them.  The  laugh  of 
hundreds  sounded  along  the  column  as  some  one  in  the  darkness 
would  walk  into  the  mire;  then  when  a  dry  spot  of  ground  was 
reached  the  victims  proceeded  to  empty  the  mud  and  water  from 
their  shoes  and  to  wring  it  from  their  stockings  and  then  resumed 
their  march. 

Meanwhile  Colonel  Wright's  men  were  rapidly  rebuilding  the 
railroad  connecting  Newbern  with  Kinston,  the  whole  scene  being 
enlivened  by  an  occasional  brush  with  Whitford's  Confederate 
Cavalry. 


323 

At  Wise's  Forks,  the  first  brigade  of  Carter's  division  (Colonel 
Adam  J.  Malloy  commanding),  consisting  of  the  Eighty-fifth  New 
York  Infantry  and  two  battalions  of  provisional  troops,  was  placed 
with  its  left  resting  on  the  Dover  road  and  the  third  brigade  of  the 
same  division,  under  command  of  Colonel  Henry  Splaine,  was  sta 
tioned  on  the  south  side  of  the  same  road,  nearly  in  line  with  the 
first  brigade. 

Our  army  was  not  expected  to  take  the  aggressive  until  the 
railroad  should  be  further  advanced,  or  supplies  for  the  troops 
received  by  the  river;  but  in  the  interval,  to  carry  on  a  detaining 
engagement,  pending  the  arrival  of  General  Couch's  troops,  then 
marching  from  Wilmington  to  join  us  in  an  effort  to  form  a  junction 
with  Sherman's  army,  which  at  that  time  was  stubbornly  fighting 
its  way  north  against  the  Confederate  army  under  General  Joseph 
E.  Johnston. 

In  the  meantime,  our  brigade  had  been  ordered  to  throw  up 
breastworks.  But  picks,  spades  and  axes  we  had  none,  for  like 
everything  else,  except  ammunition,  there  was  a  scant  supply,  and 
no  one  would  lend  us  the  needed  implements.  Despite  that  fact, 
however,  in  a  short  time  a  few  axes  suddenly  appeared  in  our  bri 
gade.  Query, — where  did  they  come  from?  Colonel  Splaine  said 
the  men  were  honest  enough  to  steal  them.  It  was  evident  he  knew 
the  facts.  But  few  logs,  however,  could  be  laid  for  works  that 
night,  and  the  troops,  tired  from  the  march,  despite  the  incessant 
firing  of  the  pickets,  were  soon  in  the  land  of  Nod,  but  with  the 
soldiers  receptive  ear  ever  on  the  alert  to  awaken  him  when  needed. 


324  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

PART  II. 

A  SHARP  FIGHT — CAPTURE  OF  OUR  SECOND  BRIGADE  BY  THE 
ENEMY— THEY  ADVANCE  ON  OUR  WORKS — FIGHTING  FOR 
TIME — RUGER'S  DIVISION  COMES  TO  OUR  AID — REPULSE 
OF  THE  ENEMY — HEROIC  ATTEMPT  TO  CAPTURE  A  GUN  FROM 
THE  ENEMY — NOTABLE  CAREER  OF  GENERAL  CARTER- 
SCENES  AT  OUR  WORKS — DEATH  OF  CORPORAL  KAY — BUILD 
ING  BREASTWORKS  UNDER  DIFFICULTIES— A  COLD  STORM 
AND  A  CHEERLESS  BIVOUAC. 

General  Schofielcl  having  arrived  at  Newborn  on  the  7th,  was 
now,  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  on  the  field  with  General  Cox. 
At  early  dawn  our  cavalry  reported  a  strong  force  in  our  front,  and 
from  citizens  and  negroes  who  came  within  our  lines,  it  was  learned 
that  the  enemy  in  our  front  consisted  of  a  division  under  Major- 
General  R.  F.  Hoke,  aided  by  a  force  under  Major  General  D.  B. 
Hill,  and  that  they  were  being  rapidly  re-enforced  by  General 
Joseph  E.  Johnston;  and  it  was  not  long  before  they  vigorously 
attacked  our  advanced  posts.  The  firing  soon  became  heavy,  and 
as  horses,  riderless  and  wild  with  the  furious  tumult,  came  bounding 
toward  our  works,  some  wounded  and  limping,  and  one,  I  remember 
with  the  saddle  under  his  bocty,  we  all  knew  there  was  warm  work 
ahead. 

"  FAYETTEVILLE,  March  7,  1865,  2  p.  M. 
"  GENERAL  BRAXTON  BRAGG  : 

"I  have  instructed  Major-General  Hill,  Smithfield,  to  join 
you  for  battle.  At  present  they  are  S.  D.  Lee's  corps,  commanded 
by  General  Hill,  and  three  brigades  of  Stewart's.  Cheatham's 
corps  and  the  remainder  of  Stewart's  were  to  leave  Chesterville 
by  railroad  on  Sunday.  When  they  come  up,  Stewart  will  com 
mand,  and  the  force  be  more  than  doubled. 

J.  E.  JOHNSTON, 

"War  Records.  General." 

Vol.  XLVII,  Part  2,  Page  1340.' ' 

About  this  time,  up  dashed  to  our  works  a  gun  of  the  Third 
New  York  Artillery,  which,  quickly  unlimbering  in  the  rear  of  our 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  325 

brigade,  entered  lively  into  the  dispute  by  tossing  shells  over  into 
the  right  of  the  enemy's  lines,  to  which  their  artillery  quickly  re 
sponded  with  shot  and  shell,  and  with  a  range  and  vigor  which 
seemed  to  imply:  "You  Yankees  shall  never  join  Sherman." 
Though  we  had  two  batteries  in  our  division,  but  not  wishing  to 
develop  our  lines  to  Bragg,  we  were  using  but  two  pieces  of  artillery 
at  our  works  on  the  left. 

At  this  time  the  second  brigade  of  Carter's  division,  composed 
of  the  Fifteenth  Connecticut  and  Twenty-seventh  Massachusetts 
Regiments  and  a  detachment  of  western  troops/ — -all  commanded 
by  Colonel  C.  L.  Upham  of  the  Fifteenth  Connecticut — was 
defending  the  crossing  of  the  British  and  Dover  roads  (about  two 
miles  in  advance  of  any  support,)  when  about  ten  o'clock  A.  M., 
the  enemy  opened  011  Upham  with  artillery,  which  was  returned 
by  his  guns,  and  the  skirmish  line  became  briskly  engaged.  Re 
ceiving  information  that  a  body  of  the  enemy  was  moving  upon  a 
road  to  his  left,  Upham  ordered  the  Twenty-seventh  Massachusetts 
into  the  woods  at  his  left,  forming  a  line  at  right  angles  to  the 
Fifteenth  Connecticut,  with  skirmishers  thrown  out  on  both 
flanks,  when  the  enemy  was  soon  discovered  in  the  thick  under 
brush,  they  having  through  the  negligence  of  the  cavalry  vidette, 
completely  outflanked  Upham's  position.  Immediately  on  being 
discovered,  they  opened  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry,  which  was  kept 
up  on  both  sides  for  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  considerably  re 
ducing  the  strength  of  the  command.  At  this  time,  by  a  well- 
directed  charge  of  the  enemy,  the  Twenty-seventh  was  forced  back 
onto  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  which  immediately  broke,  when 
they  discovered  that  the  brigade  (which  numbered  about  two 
thousand  men)  was  entirely  surrounded,  and  were  thus  obliged  to 
surrender  with  the  loss  of  one  field  piece  captured  by  the  enemy. 

The  entire  brigade,  with  the  exception  of  three  officers  and  a 
few  enlisted  men  who  escaped  when  the  regiments  broke,  were 
thus  captured.  It  was  afterward  ascertained  by  officers  captured 
at  this  time  (from  Surgeon  Mathus,  Twenty-eighth  Georgia  Regi 
ment,  A.,  M.  D.),  that  the  rear  attack  was  made  by  the  whole  of 
Hoke's  division,  aided  by  a  force  from  another  Confederate  com 
mand  under  General  D.  B.  Hill. 


326  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Upham's  loss  in  this  engagement  was  as  follows:  killed,  one 
officer  and  ten  enlisted  men;  wounded,  five  officers  and  forty-five 
enlisted  men;  captured  or  missing,  thirteen  officers  and  one  thou 
sand  eight  hundred  and  ten  enlisted  men;  total  killed,  wounded, 
captured  or  missing,  one  thousand,  eight  hundred  and  eighty-four. 
Among  the  captured  and  most  severely  wounded  was  Lieut. -Col. 
M.  G.  Bartholomew,  commanding  the  Twenty-seventh  Massa 
chusetts  and  Captain  Julius  Bassett  of  the  Fifteenth  Connecticut 
was  killed  in  action.  Colonel  Upham  had  been  twice  warned  by 
Captain  Lewis  Cann  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  that  his  brigade 
was  being  overpowered,  but  Colonel  Upham  did  not  have  time 
to  make  proper  disposition  of  his  command,  either  for  defence1  or 
retreat. 

Captain  Joseph  M.  Fish,  formerly  a  corporal  in  Company  I, 
Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  and  now  commanding  a 
company  of  flying  artillery,  was  sent  to  support  Colonel  Upham. 
Fish  had  two  mountain  howitzers,  which  he  called  his  "pop  guns/ ' 
and  before  starting  he  boasted,  "Wait  till  I  get  out  there  with  my 
pops,  and  then  you  will  hear  some  noise  and  see  some  fun."  He 
went  with  his  command  of  a  hundred  mounted  men  and  his  pops. 
Surely  he  popped  a  lot  out  there,  and  did  some  excellent  work, 
but  shortly  afterwards  he  popped  in  behind  the  works  with  only 
three  of  his  men  to  tell  the  tale, and  his  pops  popped  no  more  forever. 
"SPECIAL  ORDER. 

"No.  37  Headquarters,  near  Kinston. 
"March  8, 1865. 

"  1.  Maj.-Gen.  D.  B.  Hill  will  move  immediately  to  the  front 
with  all  his  command,  and  take  the  line  now  held  by  Maj.-Gen. 
R.  F.  Hoke.  A  staff  officer  with  guides  will  be  left  to  direct  such 
troops  as  may  arrive  to  the  same  point. 

"2.  On  being  relieved,  Maj.-Gen.  Hoke,  with  his  division, 
will  move  to  the  right,  to  turn  the  enemy's  position,  and  strike 
him  in  the  flank. 

"3  Brigadier-Gen.  L.  S.  Baker's  command  during  this 
operation  will  be  under  Maj  .-Gen.  Hill. 

"4.  As  soon  as  it  is  perceived  that  Maj.  -Gen.  Hoke's  move 
ment  is  successful,  and  the  enemy's  line  wavers,  Major-Gen. 


327 

Hill  will  attack  vigorously  in  front,  and  push  the  enemy  with  his 
whole  strength. 

"  5.  Maj  .-Gen.  Hill  should  be  in  position  so  as  to  enable  Maj.- 
Gen.  Hoke  to  move  by  5  A.  M. 

"6.  On  arrival  of  Brig. -Gen.  Haywood,  he  will  take  position 
in  rear  of  Maj  .-Gen.  Hill  as  a  reserve. 

"7.  Lieut.-Col.  Starr,  commanding  the  artillery,  will  report 
to  Maj. -Gen.  Hill. 

"  By  order  of  General  Bragg. 

"FRANCIS  S.  PARKER, 

"Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
"War  Records.     Vol.  XLVII,  Part  2,  Page  1340." 

The  success  of  Bragg's  first  onset  now  led  him  to  think  he  had 
the  whole  of  Cox's  command  broken.  Learning  his  mistake,  he 
adjusted  his  lines  anew,  and  moved  promptly  on  our  main  line 
in  an  attempt  to  bore  in  between  Carter's  and  Palmer's  divisions. 

In  this  advance  he  briskly  attacked  a  small  earthwork, 
defended  by  Company  D,  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts, 
Captain  Lewis  Cann,  who  after  making  a  stout  but  prudent 
resistance,  retired  with  a  loss  of  five  men,  and  with  much  skill, 
conducted  his  small  force  in  safety  to  our  works. 

At  this  juncture,  Colonel  Splaine,  in  command  of  the  third 
brigade,  received  an  order  from  General  Carter  to  send  out  200 
men  to  aid  in  retarding  the  enemy's  progress.  Three  companies 
of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  A,  Captain  James  Splaine; 
C,  Captain  John  E.  Mullally;  and  F,  Captain  Charles  0.  Fellows, 
under  command  of  Major  William  W.  Smith  of  that  regiment, 
were  sent  out  on  the  main  road  toward  Kinston,  with  instructions 
to  assist  in  checking  as  long  as  possible  the  advance  of  the  enemy, 
who,  flushed  with  their  success  in  the  capture  of  our  second 
brigade,  seemed  determined  to  push  matters.  Evidently  General 
Cox  needed  time  to  make  preparations  along  his  line  of  works. 
His  army,  already  too  small,  was  now  further  reduced  by  the  loss 
of  Upham's  brigade,  to  about  eleven  thousand  men. 


328  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

With  the  three  companies,  Major  Smith  moved  promptly  toward 
the  enemy,  and  engaged  them  with  much  spirit  and  effect.  It 
was  a  case  of  fighting  for  time,  taking  advantage  of  the  shape  of  the 
ground  and  of  every  cover,  to  prolong  the  fighting.  This  small 
force,  led  by  Major  Smith,  intrepidly  fought  the  enemy  every 
inch  of  the  way,  losing  several  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  mis 
sing,  in  their  efforts  to  retard  Bragg's  advance,  until  by  sheer  force 
of  overwhelming  numbers,  they  were  gradually  forced  back  until 
they  reached  a  light  earthwork,  occupied  by  a  detachment  of 
men  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Malcolm  Sillars  of  the  Seven 
teenth  Massachusetts,  where  a  short  stand  was  made  before  they 
retired  to  our  main  works,  thus  gaining  us  valuable  time  to  form 
lines  of  defence. 

At  one  time  during  this  warm  fighting,  the  fire  of  the  three 
companies  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  was  so  well  main 
tained  against  the  Confederate  advance  that  a  piece  of  the  enemy's 
artillery  was  temporarily  abandoned;  whereupon  Captain  James 
Splaine,  with  Company  A,  was  ordered  to  charge  and  take  posses 
sion  of  it .  There  his  charge  was  met  by  a  countercharge  from  the 
enemy,  and  for  a  few  minutes  things  were  lively  over  the  piece. 
Men  on  both  sides,  not  having  time  to  reload,  used  their  bayonets 
and  clubbed  their  muskets.  Splaine's  men  had  cut  the  harnesses 
off  the  dead  horses,  and  had  nearly  succeeded  in  securing  possession 
of  the  piece,  when  the  enemy  threw  forward  a  large  body  of  troops 
to  help  their  friends  at  the  guns.  These  men  afterwards  had  the 
laugh  on  one  of  their  number  who,  in  the  excitement  of  that  fight, 
while  vigorously  slashing  with  his  knife  at  the  harness  on  a  dead 
horse,  suddenly  discovered  with  disgust  that  there  was  a  chain 
trace  inside  the  leather  casing. 

At  this  point  Major  Smith  sent  forward  on  the  double-quick 
the  companies  of  Captain  Fellows  and  Mullally,  who  promptly 
advanced,  cheering  as  they  went  to  help  their  comrades,  when  to 
their  utter  disappointment  and  surprise,  they  were  charged  upon 
by  a  whole  regiment  of  the  enemy,  who  compelled  our  men  to  re 
treat  pell-mell,  leaving  a  number  of  their  men  on  the  field.  Upon 
their  return  to  the  general  line,  Major  Smith,  his  gallant  officers 
and  men  were  warmly  greeted  and  congratulated  by  General 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  329 

Carter  and  Colonel  Splaine  for  their  heroic  fighting  against  the 
enemy. 

BOSTON,  MASS.,  March  22,  1909. 
THOMAS  KIRWAN,  ESQ., 

Historian  Seventeenth  Infantry. 

DEAR  COMRADE  : 

Referring  to  the  action  of  Companies  A,  C,  and  F,  in  attempt 
ing  to  capture  a  piece  of  Confederate  artillery  outside  our  main 
lines  at  the  battle  of  Wise's  Forks,  I  beg  you  to  correct  a  statement 
made  by  me  shortly  after  the  close  of  the  war  and  printed  in  the 
report  of  the  Adjutant  General  of  Massachusetts  for  1865. 

My  statement  in  that  report  was  that,  "Captain  Splaine 
with  Company  A,  was  ordered  to  charge  a  piece  of  Confederate 
artillery  and  secured  possession  of  it,  but  that  while  disengaging 
the  dead  horses  from  the  piece,  a  large  body  of  rebels  drove  him 
from  it,  which  compelled  him  and  his  company  to  abandon  it." 
I  also  stated  it  as  my  opinion  that,  "if  Company  A,  had  been 
properly  supported  by  the  other  two  companies,  the  enemy  would 
have  been  repulsed  and  the  coveted  piece  of  artillery  would  have 
been  captured  and  held  by  the  Union  forces.' ' 

1  never  received  a  report  of  the  fight  referred  to,  and  I  based 
my  report  to  the  Adjutant  General  of  Massachusetts  solely  on 
what  I  heard  officers  and  men  of  the  regiment  say  about  the 
affair;  but  during  the  last  five  years,  two  of  the  captains  who 
were  engaged  in  the  struggle  and  several  men  who  participated  in 
the  same  fight  have  called  my  attention  to  the  case  and  have 
told  me  that  my  report  of  1865  had  done  them  great  injustice. 

I  have  carefully  inquired  into  the  whole  matter,  and  I  am 
now  of  the  opinion  that  my  report  made  so  many  years  ago  was 
not  correct,  and  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  all  three  captains,  their 
officers  and  men  are  equally  deserving  of  praise.  The  conduct  of 
all  three  captains  and  all  three  companies  was  admirable  and 
heroic,  and  I  desire  now  to  place  myself  011  record  as  believing  that 
the  reports  upon  which  I  based  my  official  report  were  erroneous 
and  misleading. 


330  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Whoever  knew  Captains  Mullally  and  Fellows  would  know 
that  they  would  not  fail  in  the  hour  of  danger.  All  honor  to  the 
three  Captains.  All  honor  to  the  three  Companies. 

Respectfully  yours, 

HENRY  SPLAINE. 

During  this  interval,  active  preparations  had  been  made  for 
the  defence  of  our  breastworks.  General  Cox  had  ordered  Palmer 
to  send  a  brigade  rapidly  to  the  left  to  support  Carter,  and  with 
the  rest  of  his  division  to  make  a  vigorous  demonstration  of  cross 
ing  the  creek  in  his  front,  and  Palmer  hurried  the  following  troops 
to  strengthen  Carter;  Second  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery 
(serving  as  infantry),  commanded  by  Lieut. -Col.  A.  B.  R.  Sprague; 
One  hundred  thirty-second  New  York  Infantry,  Lieut. -Col. 
J.  H.  Hitchcock;  and  a  provisional  battalion,  under  command  of 
Col.  Frank  S.  Curtis.  General  Ruger's  division  also  being  ordered 
up,  moved  promptly  to  Carter's  aid,  while  Carter,  supported  by  the 
brigade  from  Palmer,  maintained  the  fight  until  Ruger  arrived, 
when  the  enemy  was  met,  handsomely  repulsed  and  driven  back 
to  their  lines  in  the  advance  that  so  quickly  followed  the  rout  of 
our  advance  posts. 

Ruger's  division  now  filled  the  space  between  the  two  wings, 
speedily  connecting  a  line  of  breastworks  of  a  mile  and  a  half 
in  length.  The  country  between  us  and  the  enemy  was  of  tangled 
wood  and  swamp,  which  impeded  movement  and  prevented  either 
side  from  seeing  far.  Palmer  was  now  on  the  right,  covering  the 
railroad,  and  Carter  on  the  left,  covering  the  Dover  road. 

On  the  main  line,  trees  had  been  felled,  with  which  to  com 
plete  our  breast  works,  but  we  had  scarcely  commenced  to  lay 
the  logs  when  we  were  ordered  to  move  forward  in  line  with  those 
of  other  troops  across  the  road — a  proceeding,  I  remember,  which 
brought  on  a  lively  tilt  between  officers  of  different  commands 
and  some  sarcastic  comments  from  the  men,  it  being  claimed 
that  our  brigade  had  first  set  the  line  by  brigade  orders,  and  that 
they  should  have  aligned  on  us.  But  that  matters  not.  The  logs 
were  moved  to  the  new  point,  but  before  we  had  time  to  cover 
them  with  earth,  the  enemy's  artillery  had  opened  upon  us  so 


331 

heavily  with  shot  and  shell,  killing  and  wounding  several,  that  we 
were  ordered  to  lie  down,  an  order  which  it  is  needless  to  say  was 
quickly  obeyed. 

The  artillery  fire  of  the  enemy  was  particularly  directed  to 
where  our  brigade  was  stationed,  they  having  secured  a  good  range 
of  our  artillery  piece,  which  was  firing  rapidly  from  a  slight  em 
inence  directly  in  the  rear  of  Company  B,  of  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  of  which  I  was  a  member,  and  which  was  com 
manded  by  Lieut.  H.  G.  Hyde,  our  captain,  Joseph  A.  Moore, 
being  on  the  brigade  staff,  where  he  rendered  valuable  service 
all  through  the  campaign. 

On  matters  of  interest  I  will  here  digress.  Perhaps  in  no  other 
army  in  the  world  was  the  family  more  numerously  represented 
than  in  the  Union  Army.  Relatives  serving  together  could  be 
found  in  and  about  all  bodies  of  troops  during  the  war,  and  ours 
was  not  an  exception,  for  among  others,  our  colonel  and  major 
each  had  three  brothers  in  the  regiment,  while  a  father  and  two 
sons  named  Jeffers,  from  Lynn,  Mass.,  shared  their  hard-tack, 
and  marched  together  in  Company  B. 

Being  a  brigade  orderly,  a  bearer  of  dispatches,  it  made  me 
well  acquainted  with  officers  of  various  commands,  among  them 
being  our  brave  and  genial  commander,  General  S.  P.  Carter, 
whose  notable  career  in  both  the  army  and  navy  during  our  Civil 
War,  is  well  worth  mention,  and  whose  unique  record  was  kindly 
furnished  the  author  by  Messrs  W.  C.  and  F.  P.  Church,  proprietors 
of  the  "  Army  and  Navy  Journal.' ' 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  Brigadier-General  S.  P.  Carter 
was  an  officer  in  our  navy,  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant.  He 
was  promoted  to  lieutenant  commander,  July  16,  1862.  Early 
in  the  war,  he  received  a  commission  in  the  army,  while  still 
retaining  his  status  in  the  navy.  He  was  appointed  brigadier- 
general  of  volunteers  May  1,  1862,  and  mustered  out  as  such 
January  15,  1866,  reverting  to  his  status  as  a  naval  officer  with 
the  rank  of  commander,  to  which  he  was  promoted  June  25,  1865. 
His  status  was  the  same  as  that  of  William  Nelson,  who  was  a 
lieutenant  in  the  navy  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  was  appointed 
brigadier-general,  U.  S.  A.,  September  16,  1861,  and  major-general 


332  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

July  17,  1862.  Nelson  was  killed  by  General  Jeff.  C.  Davis 
at  the  Gait  House  in  Louisville,  in  a  personal  altercation,  Sep 
tember  29,  1862.  General  S.  P.  Carter  died  in  Washington,  May 
26,  1891,  with  the  ranks  of  rear-admiral,  U.  S.  N.,  brigadier- 
general  and  brevet-major-general,  U.  S.  A. 

When  army  officers  indulge  themselves  in  their  usual  gibes  at 
the  expense  of  the  navy  officers'  assumed  incapacity  as  shoremen, 
it  may  be  well  to  remind  them  that  the  first  important  cavalry 
raid  into  rebel  territory,  during  our  Civil  War  was  commanded  by  a 
naval  officer,  Brig. -Gen.  Samuel  P.  Carter,  Lieut.  U.  S.  N.  For 
this  raid,  made  in  December,  1862,  Carter  was  thanked  in  general 
orders  by  the  general-in-chief  of  the  army,  the  commanders  of 
the  Department  of  Ohio  and  the  District  of  Kentucky.  He  was 
also  recommended  for  promotion  to  a  major-general. 

But  to  return  from  this  digression. 

There  the  men  lay,  undergoing  the  most  trying  ordeal  to 
which  troops  can  be  subjected,  being  under  fire  without  the  privilege 
of  returning  it.  There  was,  however,  enough  to  engage  our  at 
tention,  and  our  sight  was  not  idly  roaming.  The  shot  and  shell 
crashing  through  and  the  tearing  limbs  from  the  trees  was  a  spec 
tacle  which  could  not  be  ignored,  while  other  events  that  made 
the  scene  more  vivid  were  rapidly  transpiring  about  us,  among 
which  were  the  following : 

As  Charley  Pendexter  of  my  company  was  walking  towards  the 
works,  a  piece  of  flying  shell  struck  the  barrel  of  the  musket  with 
such  violence  that  it  knocked  him  down,  but  not  before  he  had 
performed  a  series  of  gyrations  more  comical  than  I  ever  witnessed 
in  a  circus.  He  seemed  too  astonished  to  join  in  the  laughter  that 
came  from  the  men  at  his  enforced  gymnastics,  for  besides  receiv 
ing  a  severe  shaking  up,  he  also  had  a  damaged  musket. 

To  my  right,  on  the  ground,  lay  Andrew  Mellen,  and  close 
on  Mellen's  right,  sitting  with  his  back  to  the  logs,  was  Corporal 
Thomas  Kay  of  our  company.  Mellen  and  myself  had  just  been 
talking  with  Kay,  and  had  advised  him  to  lie  down,  to  which  he 
replied  that  he  was  all  right.  Hardly  had  he  said  these  words, 
when  a  solid  shot  struck  one  of  the  logs.  Mellen  nudged  me. 
I  thought  he  had  been  hit,  for  his  face  was  covered  with  blood. 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  333 

He  seemed  too  amazed  to  speak,  as  he  pointed  towards  Kay. 
The  shot  had  torn  a  large  splinter  from  a  log  and  it  had  cut  off 
the  top  of  Kay's  head  from  the  eyes  up,  as  though  clone  with  a 
guillotine,  and  spattered  his  brains  all  over  Mellen.  A  convul 
sive  shudder,  and  Kay  was  dead.  We  drew  him  away  from  the 
logs,  spread  a  blanket  over  him  and  buried  him  that  afternoon. 
Poor  Tom!  We  all  knew  him  as  a  good  fellow  and  a  brave  soldier. 

During  a  lull  in  the  firing,  in  the  afternoon,  we  became  anxious 
to  finish  our  delayed  works,  but  spades  we  had  none  with  which 
to  cover  them  with  earth.  Time  was  precious,  and  all  in  the  bri 
gade  were  ordered  by  Colonel  Splaine  to  utilize  their  bayonets, 
tin  plates  and  dippers  (rather  primitive  methods)  for  that  purpose. 
So  digging  with  bayonets,  and  shovelling  with  plates,  dippers  and 
fingers,  we  started  in  lively  at  our  tasks.  The  boys  worked  like 
beavers,  and  the  way  we  made  the  dirt  fly  was  a  caution.  It 
was  a  novel  sight,  and  one  that  brought  smiles  and  jokes  from  the 
men.  Nevertheless,  in  a  short  time  we  completed  respectable 
looking  breastworks,  but  none  too  soon,  as  the  enemy  again  opened 
on  us  lively  with  shot  and  shell. 

All  was  now  bustle  behind  our  works.  The  scene  was  a 
stirring  one.  Mounted  aides  and  orderlies  were  galloping  hither  and 
thither,  and  the  wounded  were  being  brought  in.  Meanwhile, 
companies  and  regiments  (reliefs)  were  moving  to  and  fro  from  the 
front,  where  skirmishing  continued  with  varied  success  through 
out  the  day. 

Toward  night  a  cold  storm  set  in,  which  alternated  between 
rain  and  sleet  and  snow,  and  the  greensward  of  our  camp,  from  the 
tramp  of  men  and  horses,  was  soon  churned  into  a  sea  of  mud, 
which  clung  tenaciously  to  all  of  us.  Besides  we  had  no  tents, 
and  the  men  suffered  much  from  the  cold.  The  march  and  field 
work  soon  destroyed  clothing.  The  fact  was,  as  stated  by  General 
Cox,  that  our  force  was  rapidly  put  on  the  march  at  the  risk  of 
being  short  of  rations,  a  prediction  that  was  seriously  verified 
by  the  troops. 

But  in  the  gloomiest  hours  of  the  march  or  bivouac,  there 
frequently  occurred  incidents  that  cast  the  sunshine  of  merriment 
on  the  dark  lines  in  the  soldier's  life,  and  such  was  the  following: 


334  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Charles  Bachelder  of  Company  A,  a  drummer,  who,  while  trying 
to  shield  himself  from  the  rain,  had  utilized  his  blanket  for  a  tent 
on  a  pole  between  two  trees,  while  putting  the  finishing  touches  on 
his  primitive  structures,  a  fragment  of  flying  shell  struck  the  blanket 
near  where  he  stood,  sadly  demolishing  the  whole  business,  and  no 
doubt  convincing  Charlie  that  there  was  no  rest  thereabouts  for 
the  weary;  and  acting,  I  presume,  on  the  old  adage  that  " misery 
likes  company/ '  it  greatly  amused  all  who  saw  it. 

During  the  day  we  captured  a  number  of  prisoners  belonging 
to  Georgia  regiments,  and  one  of  them,  a  wag  of  a  fellow,  raised 
hearty  laughter  among  our  men  when  he  inquired:  " Where  the 
devil  is  that  regiment,  I  want  to  see  it  that  loads  on  Sunday  and 
fires  all  the  week."  He  referred  to  one  of  our  battalions,  who, 
being  armed  with  Spencer  seven-shot  rifles,  had  astonished  the 
enemy  by  effective  work  on  the  skirmish  that  day. 

Troops  in  North  Carolina  could  usually  depend  upon  having 
a  good,  almost  storm-defying  camp  fire,  the  pitch  pine  wood, 
with  its  resinous  aroma,  making  a  brisk  blaze.  And  as  the  men 
stood  that  evening  (I  see  them  now  in  fancy)  around  the  sputtering 
camp  fires,  faces  begrimed  with  sooty  smoke,  with  drenched  and 
bespattered  clothes  take  it  all  in  all  we  were  an  odd  looking  crowd, 
while  here  and  there  throughout  the  grove  could  be  seen  groups 
of  men  curled  up  in  their  blankets,  doing  their  best  to  revive 
exhausted  nature  by  stealing  a  nap  under  adverse  circumstances, 
tattoo  at  last  warning  all  that  even  a  couch  in  the  mud  in  that 
tentless  bivouac  was  a  welcome  privilege  to  the  wearied  troops. 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  335 

PART  III. 

SKIRMISHING  RESUMED — THE  ATTEMPT  TO  FLANK  OUR  RIGHT — 
REMINISCENCES  OF  THE  SERVICE — THE  DEAD  SHARPSHOOTER 
IN  THE  TREE — A  STRANGE  BURIAL — THE  DEAD  ALIVE — 
STORMY  WEATHER  AND  LACK  OF  RATIONS — SOLDIERS  ON  THE 
MARCH — THE  ARMY  GROWLER — EXTENDING  OUR  BREAST 
WORKS — OUR  LEFT  RE-ENFORCED — A  SOLDIER'S  BENEFACTOR 
—A  LUXURIOUS  BED — THE  NIGHT  ALARM— A  WAR  SONG. 

NEAR  KINSTON,  March  9,  1865. 

Major  General  Hoke  will  move  to  the  attack  immediately, 
advancing  his  left  flank  and  gradually  taking  up  the  movement  to 
the  right,  thus  making  an  oblique  assault  on  the  enemy.  His 
command  will  keep  well  closed  to  the  right,  so  as  not  to  leave  an 
interval.  Major  General  Hill  will  take  up  the  attack  as  soon  as 
General  Hoke  is  fairly  engaged.  The  attack  must  be  vigorous  and 
determined,  as  success  must  be  achieved. 

By  order  of  General  Bragg, 

F.  S.  PARKER, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

The  9th  was  ushered  in  with  cold,  stormy  weather,  the  enemy, 
flushed  with  their  success  of  the  8th,  promptly  renewed  the  skir 
mish  all  along  the  line,  which  for  a  time,  was  lively  on  the  extreme 
right,  where  Hoke  endeavored  to  push  beyond  Palmer's  right,  be 
tween  it  and  the  river.  But  General  Cox,  never  caught  napping, 
prevented  this  by  sending  Colonel  Thomas'  brigade  of  Ruger's 
division  to  strengthen  that  flank,  when  finding  us  strongly  en 
trenched,  the  enemy  soon  retired,  after  which  hostilities  assumed  a 
desultory  character,  being  only  light  skirmishes  along  our  front; 
and  our  brigade  skirmish  line,  composed  of  some  companies  of  the 
Seventeenth  Massachusetts  and  Company  A,  Third  New  York 
Artillery,  were  on  the  skirmish  line  all  day. 

The  enemies' batteries  frequently  dropped  shells  throughout 
the  day  about  General  Harland's  brigade,  evidently  intending  to 
develop  our  right  of  line.  As  orders  were  given  not  to  return 


336  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

the  fire,  they  did  not  succeed.  Some  prisoners  taken  that  day 
were  found  to  belong  to  both  Stewart's  and  Lee's  corps  of  the  Ten 
nessee,  and  it  was  learned  that  the  army  in  our  front,  14,000 
strong,  was  commanded  by  General  Bragg  in  person,  and  that  it  in 
cluded  the  troops  of  the  North  Carolina  District  under  General 
Hoke,  strengthened  by  that  part  of  Hood's  army  of  the  Tennessee, 
which  had  reached  North  Carolina  under  Generals  Stewart,  Loring, 
Clayton,  Baker,  D.  B.  Hill  and  others.  Indeed,  rebel  generals 
were  numerous  in  our  front . 

On  that  day  another  of  those  strange  events  of  which  war  is 
so  prolific  was  brought  to  light  by  some  of  our  men,  who  discovered 
a  Confederate  sharp-shooter  perched  in  a  tree  between  the  lines, 
where  it  was  supposed  he  had  gone  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  when 
the  enemy  held  that  portion  of  the  field  for  the  purpose,  no  doubt, 
of  picking  off  men  inside  our  works.  His  rifle,  which  had  fallen 
from  his  grasp,  wras  on  the  ground.  No  notice  being  taken  of  the 
order  to  come  down  from  the  tree,  soon  led  us  to  believe  that  he 
\vas  dead,  which  proved  to  be  the  case,  he  having  been  killed,  no 
doubt,  by  a  stray  bullet  from  his  own  or  our  men  during  the  fray. 
They  took  his  body  down  out  of  the  tree  and  buried  it.  He  was 
found  sitting  astride  a  limb,  with  a  piece  of  cord  around  his  body, 
with  which  he  had  secured  himself  to  the  tree.  His  well-filled 
haversack,  and  other  belongings,  which  were  hanging  near  him, 
well  attested  the  fact  that  he  had  made  elaborate  preparations  for 
a  personal  siege  of  the  works,  and  that  he  had  died  while  fighting 
on  his  own  hook. 

Again  at  roll-call  that  day  more  names  were  unanswered,  and 
familiar  faces  missing,  and  a  party  went  out  from  our  works  to  bury 
the  dead.  One  of  the  first  bodies  found  and  recognized  by  members 
of  his  own  company  was  that  of  Levi  F.  Colbath  of  Company  A, 
with  whose  name  is  connected  a  most  singular  event.  He  had  been 
shot  through  the  breast,  and  his  body,  wThich  had  been  partly 
stripped  of  its  clothing,  with  others,  was  quickly  buried,  and  the 
men  left  their  comrades  in  their  lonely  graves  in  the  swamp. 
Genial,  jolly  Colbath, — one  of  the  brave  boys  who  had  enlisted  in 
the  field, — how  we  missed  him ! 


CHA.S.  .S.  BOI.TON. 


GENERAL  T.  J.  HENDERSOX. 


COL.  JAMES  STEWART,  Jr.. 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  337 

Colbath's  effects,— letters  and  pictures,  precious  keepsakes, 
—were  soon  found  behind  the  works,  and  with  a  letter  of  sym 
pathy  and  condolence,  were  sent  by  Captain  James  Splaine  to 
Colbath's  wife  in  Haverhill,  Mass.  Such  heart-breaking  mis 
sives  entered  many  homes  in  the  North  during  those  trying  years. 
Colbath  was  mourned  for  by  all,  and  his  death  was  published  in 
the  local  papers.  But  strange  to  relate,  scarcely  three  weeks 
afterwards,  who  should  wralk  into  his  own  home  to  astonish  wife 
and  friends,  but  Levi  F.  Colbath  in  the  man  and  body, — the  man 
who  was  dead,  yet  living.  He  had  been  captured  by  the  enemy, 
and  liberated  on  parole.  The  man  buried  as  Colbath  had  belonged 
to  some  other  regiment.  Comrade  Colbath  died  but  a  few  years 
ago  in  Dover,  N.  H.,  where  he  had  resided,  a  well-known  and 
respected  citizen,  since  the  war. 

As  a  case  of  mistaken  identity  it  was  indeed  strange,  and  one 
that  goes  far  towards  proving  the  adage  that  truth  is  stranger 
than  fiction.  The  happy  outcome  of  the  affair  but  increased  our 
interest  in  the  soldier  buried  as  Colbath,  for  who  shall  ever  know 
who  that  strange  comrade  was,  or  what  were  his  last  thoughts  and 
wishes  in  that  Carolina  swamp?  And  might  not  he,  somewhere 
in  the  North,  have  loved  ones  who  anxiously  watched  for  the  letter 
that  never  came,  and  perhaps— 

"In  a  little  white  cot,  in  the  land  of  the  North, 

They're  waiting  his  coming  again. 
They  dream  not  his  body  all  mangled  and  torn 

Is  laid  in  the  ranks  of  the  slain. 

"Sleep,  soldier,  sleep,  in  thy  rough  southern  tomb, 
While  above  thee  the  winter  winds  rave. 

In  summer  the  birds  will  thy  requiem  sing, 
And  willows  weep  over  thy  grave.' ' 

Our  officers  and  men  that  evening, — for  we  were  all  on  the 

same  plane, — were  tired,  drenched  and  hungry;  the  bivouac  was 

i  cheerless  one.     The  weather  was  bitter  cold,  we  had  no  tents  and 

our  haversacks  were  empty.     And  how  we  wished  for  coffee,  the 

:  oldier's  panacea !     But  all  this  was  nothing  new  to  the  men.     They 


338  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

had  had  such  experiences  before,  when  it  was  ludicrous  to  hear 
some  of  them  make  light  of  their  hunger  by  loudly  ordering  the 
most  tempting,  but  impossible  dishes, — dishes  that  would  do  credit 
to  a  Delmonico.  Was  it  any  wonder,  then,  that  the  young  soldier 
often  yearned  for  something  his  mother  used  to  make?  But  did 
they  murmur  at  their  lot?  Seldom,  indeed.  The  army  was  no 
place  for  weaklings,  and  when  such  were  in  the  campaign,  where 
strength  and  stamina  were  needed,  they  were  soon  shifted  to  the 
rear  by  the  hardships  encountered.  The  thing  called  pride  was  a 
strong  element  in  the  soldier's  makeup.  Often  men  stricken  with 
sickness  on  the  march  could  not  be  prevailed  upon  to  leave  the 
ranks,  until  from  sheer  exhaustion,  they  were  forced  to  drop  by 
the  roadside. 

Pertinent  to  this  last,  let  me  say  that  I  have  seen  the  troops 
days  and  nights  on  the  march,  in  the  heat  of  the  summer  and  the 
storms  of  winter,  at  times  plunging  through  the  mud  and  drenched 
to  the  skin  by  torrents  of  rain, — yes,  some  of  them  even  catching 
sleep  as  they  marched,  yet  seldom  did  I  know  the  spirit  of  cheerful 
ness  to  forsake  them.  I  do  not  mean  by  this  that  soldiers  on  a 
forced  march  are  in  a  mood  to  display  much  merriment,  for  such 
severe  toil  is  a  bar  to  that.  One  of  the  most  notable  things  about 
a  march  of  this  kind, — at  least  to  me, — was  the  sullen  silence  of 
the  men  in  the  ranks;  vital  force  was  too  precious  to  be  wasted  in 
mere  conversation.  Except  when  a  man  made  a  mis-step,  or  came 
to  some  unusually  bad  piece  of  road,  and  relieved  himself  by  a 
burst  of  profanity,  the  only  sounds  were  the  regular  tramp,  tramp, 
of  falling  feet,  the  monotone  of  a  commander  to  "  Close  up,  men, 
close  up!' '  or  the  jingle  of  a  tin  cup  as  it  bumped  against  a  canteen. 

But  with  all  this,  in  every  company,  battery,  troop,  or  even 
squad,  at  least  one  man  could  be  found  in  whom  the  great  Amer 
ican  sense  of  humor  was  highly  developed.  He  could  see  only 
the  ridiculous  side  of  every  hardship,  of  every  phase  of  army  life. 
He  could  find  a  joke  where  one  would  never  dream  it  could  exist. 
Every  personal  peculiarity  of  either  superior  or  equal  was  the  sub 
ject  of  his  keen  wit.  When  the  rations  were  poor,  he  would  remind 
us  that  mother's  pies  would  be  all  the  more  appreciated  when  we  got 
home.  On  a  mud  march  he  would  yell  out:  "Oh,  why  did  you 


339 

enlist?'7  and  "Why  don't  the  army  move?"  (This  was  a  slap  at 
the  arm-chair  critics  at  home.)  These  men  were  known  as  the 
life  of  the  the  camp,  the  march  and  the  bivouac, — men  ready  with 
a  volley  of  jokes  to  enliven  others;  and  even  at  this  distant  day 
it  is  amusing  to  remember  some  of  the  jests  that  were  made  while 
passing  other  troops  in  the  night,  when  in  answer  to  the*  inquiry, 
"What  regiment  is  that?'  'with  the  true  reply  would  promptly  come 
back  "The  Tenth  Ireland,"  "The  Third  Nova  Scotia,"  "Lemon 
ade  this  way,' '  or  other  such  humorous  remarks.  Thus  at  all  times 
and  under  all  conditions  was  illustrated  in  the  strongest  light  the 
self-reliant  and  independent  character  of  the  American  soldier. 
They  were  all  in  the  same  boat,  so  to  speak.  These  were  some  of 
of  the  accompaniments  of  war.  They  all  knew  it,  and  uncom 
plainingly  made  merry  over  their  distress. 

Did  I  say  alll  No,  not  quite  all  of  them,  for  occasionally 
we  got  a  rap  from  the  regular  chronic  growler,  who  seemed  to  be 
a  necessary  adjunct  of  the  service;  and  to  him  I  pay  tribute,  while 
mentally  I  doff  my  hat  to  his  memory,  for,  to  use  a  term,  he  was 
a  daisy.  Though  called  a  nuisance  by  some,  yet  he  was  a  source 
of  amusement  to  many.  He  enjoyed  his  growl,  and  who  among 
the  comrades  that  does  not  remember  him?  Every  regiment  had 
a  few  of  these  growlers,  who,  whether  in  storm  or  sunshine,  in 
victory  or  defeat,  would  invariably  find  fault  with  nearly  every* 
thing  that  came  in  their  way.  But  aside  from  that  peculiarity, 
never  did  I  know  one  who  was  not  a  thorough  soldier. 

But  to  renew  the  narrative :  Apprehending  an  attack  on  our 
left,  Colonel  Splaine  ordered  the  line  of  breastworks  to  be  well 
extended  in  that  direction,  and  that  an  abattis  and  entanglement 
of  felled  timber  also  be  made  along  the  whole  line;  and  Captain 
Howard's  battalion  of  Malloy's  brigade  was  directed  by  General 
Carter  to  aid  pur  brigade  in  extending  the  works  across  and  be 
yond  the  Trent  road.  Our  cavalry,  always  in  demand,  were  or 
dered  to  scout  and  picket  the  country  beyond  the  left  to  the  upper 
Trent  road.  Two  batteries  of  Ruger's  division  were  ordered  to 
park  in  the  rear  of  the  left  of  Carter's  position,  to  be  used  as  occa 
sion  should  offer. 


340  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Scouts  are  the  eyes  and  the  ears  and  the  nose  of  an  army  corps. 
They  spread  themselves  out  before,  creeping  stealthily  ahead  to 
watch  the  enemy,  to  note  his  position  and  strength.  They  listen 
for  every  sound  that  will  betray  his  presence,  for  every  beat  of 
hoof  or  fall  of  foot.  Like  bloodhounds,  they  scent  every  trail. 
The  information  they  obtain  is  sent  back  by  relays  of  mounted 
men  to  their  general,  and  upon  this  information,  whether  it  is 
valuable,  accurate  or  not,  or  whether  it  is  used  for  all  it  is  worth, 
depends  absolutely  the  fate  of  the  army.  It  is  a  matter  of  history 
that  nearly  every  battle  lost  or  won,  according  to  the  value  of  the 
previous  reconnoissance,  the  victors  have  won  through  knowing 
the  position,  the  movements  and  the  numbers  of  the  enemy,  and 
the  defeated  have  lost  through  ignorance  on  these  points. 

About  nine  o'clock,  we  had  finished  our  breastworks,  sur 
mounting  all  with  good  top  logs ;  and  a  dirtier  looking  lot  of  men 
it  would  be  hard  to  find  anywhere,  for  hauling,  pushing  and  tugging 
at  logs,  and  the  shovelling  of  muck,  did  not  promote  cleanliness 
or  encourage  the  use  of  dress  suits.  It  was  hard  work  in  bad 
swamp  mud,  trampled  and  kneaded  by  thousands  of  feet  into  a 
pasty  quagmire.  At  last  the  troops,  tired  from  their  work, 
wearily  sought  the  soaked  ground,  and  were  soon  lost  in  sleep,  obli 
vious  to  their  rough  surroundings,  yet  ever  ready  to  spring  into 
line  at  the  first  blast  of  the  bugle  or  the  long  roll;  for  on  such 
occasions,  each  man,  from  the  highest,  to  the  lowest,  sleeps,  wakes 
and  has  his  being  with  the  senses  ever  alert  for  a  summons  to 
instant  duty;  and  if  it  is  a  false  alarm,  the  disgusted  warrior  can  at 
least  comfort  himself  with  the  memory  of  a  few  happy  moments 
of  excitement  and  doubt. 

It  was  about  eleven  o'clock  that  night  when  I  returned  from 
our  outposts,  where  I  had  been  with  instructions  from  Colonel 
Splaine  to  the  officer  in  charge  of  our  picket  line,  Capt.  Malcolm 
Sillars,  when,  after  lying  down  on  my  pine  bough  bed,  I  was 
shortly  awakened  from  a  sound  sleep  by  some  one  calling  me. 
Stepping  over  my  sleeping  comrades  in  the  dark,  I  soon  found  the 
person  wanting  me,  who  proved  to  be  an  old  acquaintance  of  mine, 
Jerome  Kelty,  formerly  of  Lynn,  Mass.,  but  then  serving  as 
Charles  Allen  in  Battery  I  of  the  Third  New  York  Artillery, 


341 

and  belonging  to  the  gun  near  by.  On  going  with  him,  he  took 
from  the  gun's  caisson  a  bundle,  and  while  saying,  "Make  yourself 
comfortable,  Young,  it's  a  cold  night/ '  he  spread  it  on  the  ground. 
Ye  gods!  What  a  luxury  was  before  me!  A  buffalo  robe,  for 
such  it  was,  for  a  soldier's  bed.  And  as  if  but  yesterday,  I  recollect 
how  we  sat  there,  smoked  our  pipes  and  talked  of  home  and  the 
prospects  ahead.  Only  an  incident,  perhaps  you  say,  but  it  was 
such  that  helped  to  soften  the  hardship  and  relieve  the  strain  of 
the  soldier's  life.  At  last,  thanking  my  benefactor,  and  bidding 
him  good-night,  as  I  drew  the  warm  folds  of  the  robe  about  me  for 
a  nap,  I  can  truly  say  that  I  prized  my  buffalo  bed  as  among  the 
finest  in  the  land. 

But  how  sharp  are  the  lines  of  war.  A  few  days  afterwards 
poor  Kelty  was  killed,  and  his  bed  was  a  soldier's  rough  grave. 
Can  I  forget  his  kind  act?  No,  never;  for  comrades  know  that 
the  rations  shared  on  the  toilsome  march,  and  the  drink  from 
"the  same  canteen"  were  factors  in  creating  the  deep  fraternity 
that  was  born  of  the  peril  and  hardships  of  war. 

A  night's  unbroken  rest  is  a  rare  exception  to  soldiers  at  the 
front,  and  such  it  proved  with  us.  The  weather  was  raw  and  cold 
the  balance  of  the  night,  and  the  picket  firing  for  a  time  was  very 
heavy  indeed.  About  two  o'clock  the  next  morning,  a  heavy 
volley  at  the  front,  and  the  long  roll,  brought  all  our  men  promptly 
to  their  feet  and  in  line.  A  force  of  the  enemy,  apparently  several 
regiments,  came  down  as  their  skirmish  line,  but  after  a  while 
they  retired. 

The  privates  of  the  army  had  theories  of  their  own,  as  well  as 
the  generals,  and  sometimes  grasped  the  true  condition  of  affairs 
as  readily.  So,  when  shortly  afterward  a  low  sounding  fire  was 
heard  from  one  of  the  enemy's  field  guns,  after  a  short  discussion 
among  the  men,  it  was  decided  by  some  that  the  advance  of  the 
enemy,  and  their  signal  gun  in  the  early  morning,  was  simply  a 
ruse  of  the  Johnnies  to  draw  our  attention  directly  to  the  front, 
while  they  would  be  moving  to  the  right  or  left  to  flank  our  works; 
with  what  truth  the  morrow  would  show.  Meanwhile,  our  out 
posts  had  been  strengthened,  but  no  further  alarms  occurred  that 
night . 


342  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  KEGIMENT. 

PART  IV. 

THE  CALM  BEFORE  THE  STORM — A  DARING  RECONNOISSANCE — 
BRAGG  PLANS  FOR  OUR  DEFEAT — FRATERNAL  COMPLIMENTS 
BETWEEN  OFFICERS — A  TRICK  OF  THE  JOHNNIES  THAT 
FAILED — THE  ASSAULT  ON  OUR  LEFT — THE  ATTACK  ON  OUR 
CENTER — A  DISASTROUS  REPULSE  OF  THE  ENEMY — ARRIVAL 
OF  COUCH'S  DIVISIONS — SCENES  ON  THE  BATTLEFIELD — 
RETREAT  OF  BRAGG'S  ARMY — BURIAL  OF  THE  DEAD — JOY 
AROUND  THE  CAMP  FIRES — A  HEAVY  RAIN  STORM. 

All  were  on  the  alert  at  the  gray  of  dawn,  on  the  10th,  which 
brought  with  it  light  snow  and  rain.  Picket  firing,  which  was 
brisk  during  the  night,  had  gradually  fallen  away,  until  at  day 
break  only  here  and  there  shots  were  heard  along  the  line,  and  the 
morning  passed  inactively.  A  stillness  reigned  that  was  unusual 
at  such  a  time,  and  the  anxious  looks  on  the  faces  of  the  men 
plainly  said:  "  What's  up  now?' ' 

Generals  Cox  and  Carter,  realizing  that  the  enemy  were 
concentrating  in  front  of  our  left,  sent  Colonel  Splaine,  attended 
by  Captain  Moore,  assistant  adjutant-general  on  Splaine's  staff, 
Doctor  Walton,  acting  brigade  surgeon,  and  a  detachment  of  the 
Twelfth  New  York  Cavalry,  to  reconnoitre  the  Confederates' 
position,  with  instructions  also  not  to  return  until  he  had  seen  the 
enemy  and  made  an  intelligent  estimate  of  their  strength.  These 
orders  were  obeyed  to  the  letter,  as  the  following  account  will  show. 

When  the  little  band  had  reached  the  outer  edge  of  the  woods 
on  our  side  of  the  general  line,  Colonel  Splaine  was  accosted  by 
his  brother,  Captain  James  Splaine,  who  was  there  on  duty,  and 
who  inquired  whither  they  were  going.  Upon  being  told  the  nature 
of  the  order,  Captain  Splaine  remarked  that  there  was  no  need  of 
going  any  further,  for  they  could  see  them  right  there  at  the  edge 
of  the  other  woods.  It  being  then  raining,  thereby  obscuring  the 
view,  and  being  unable  to  see  the  enemy  distinctly  enough  to 
satisfy  his  mind  as  to  their  position  and  strength,  Colonel  Splaine 
said  to  his  brother,  "I  am  ordered  to  see  them,  and  I  shall  obey." 
So  the  colonel  and  his  party  went,  they  saw  and  they  returned. 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  343 

When  about  seventy  yards  from  the  enemy's  line,  the  part 
was  addressed  by  a  noble  looking  Confederate  officer,  who  had  been 
leaning  against  his  piece  of  artillery.  As  he  spoke,  he  drew  a  white 
handkerchief  from  his  breast,  and  waving  it,  said,  "Come  in." 
They  did  not  go  in,  but  hesitated,  for  the  purpose  of  parleying 
with  the  rebel  officer,  so  as  to  gain  time;  and  during  this  time 
Splaine  was  using  his  field-glass  with  good  effect,  counting  and 
locating  the  enemy's  flags,  batteries  and  battalions. 

Now,  the  Colonel  took  his  turn  at  the  handkerchief  tactics, 
and  waving  his,  said  to  the  other  side,  "  Won't  you  please  come 
here?  I  want  to  speak  with  you  on  a  most  important  matter," 
all  the  time  using  his  field-glass  and  noting  the  makeup  of  the 
Confederate  host.  To  this  the  Confederate  officer  answered, 
"Oh,  come  in,  it's  all  right!"  But  again  Splaine  repeated  his 
request  for  a  parley  on  that  most  important  subject.  Now,  the 
Confederate  officer,  becoming  exasperated  at  the  coolness  of  the 
little  band,  yelled  out  angrily,  "If  you  don't  come  right  in,  I  will 
fire." 

At  this  critical  moment,  Splaine  having  learned  all  he  needed 
to  know  about  the  enemy,  said  to  his  associates,  "We  are  in  a  bad 
fix.  Obey  me,  and  we  will  come  out  all  right;  otherwise  we  perish.' ' 

To  this  his  command  replied,  "Give  us  your  orders  and  we  will 
obey  them." 

Splaine  then  said,  "If  we  attempt  to  turn  now,  they  will 
shoot  us  down.  We  must  pretend  we  are  going  to  surrender,  and 
so  sure  will  they  be  that  we  mean  it,  that  they  will  become  care 
less  while  glorying  over  their  fancied  prize ;  and  when  we  are  almost 
within  their  lines,  I  shall  order,  'One,  two,  three,  turn,'  and  at 
that  command  turn  quickly,  and  lying  low  upon  your  horses,  ride 
for  dear  life,"  and  added  laughingly,  "May  the  devil  take  the 
hindmost."'  (Splaine  was  the  first  going  in  and,  of  course,  the 
last  coming  out;  and  even  at  that  the  devil  hasn't  got  him  yet.) 

When  the  Union  party  turned  their  horses  to  make  the  race 
for  life,  they  were  not  more  than  twenty  yards  from  the  enemy. 
The  surprise  among  the  Johnnies  at  this  supreme  piece  of  Yankee 
impudence,  trick  and  cheek  was  so  great  that  they  completely 
lost  their  heads;  and  before  they  recovered,  the  little  squad  had 


344  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

got  well  under  way  before  the  first  shot  was  fired  after  them, 
and  then  several  shots,  and  as  the  Rebs  recovered  from  their  stu 
por,  their  fire  was  increased  until  thousands  of  bullets  were  speed 
ing  after  Splaine's 'brave  little  band.  He  declared  afterward  that 
as  he  entered  the  shelter  of  the  woods  where  he  had  left  his  brother 
anxiously  waiting,  it  appeared  as  if  every  leaf  in  the  forest  was 
falling  upon  them  from  the  effects  of  the  enemy's  bullets. 

While  the  party  were  riding  for  dear  life,  the  bullets  of  the 
enemy  played  queer  pranks  on  their  clothing,  but  fortunately 
none  of  the  men  were  injured.  It  seemed  miraculous  how  they 
all  escaped  with  their  lives.  Colonel  Splaine  lost  a  heel  off  one 
of  his  boots,  had  his  right  shoulder  strap  shot  away,  and  a  third 
bullet  entered  the  seat  of  his  army  saddle.  Captain  Moore, 
while  turning  in  his  saddle  to  look  at  his  Confederate  friends,  lost 
his  pistol,  it  being  shot  from  his  hand,  other  bullets  cutting  two 
holes  through  his  uniform.  Doctor  Walton,  not  less  fortunate, 
had  his  clothing  cut  by  bullets.  Members  of  the  cavalry  escort  were 
treated  about  as  badly,  as  attested  by  the  riddled  condition  of  their 
clothing.  They  all  thanked  their  stars  for  their  narrow  escape, 
and  they  were  all  heartily  cheered  by  the  portion  of  the  army 
that  had  witnessed  a  part  of  the  enterprise. 

This,  at  the  time,  was  considered  one  of  the  most  daring  and 
successful  reconnoissances  of  the  campaign,  and  one  of  which  the 
result  on  the  same  day  was  most  important  to  the  National  army 
and  disastrous  to  the  enemy. 

Upon  the  return  of  the  party  to  the  works,  a  consultation 
was  held  between  Generals  Cox  and  Carter  and  Colonel  Splaine, 
and  as  a  result  of  the  same,  plans  were  made  to  meet  the  attack 
of  the  enemy. 

The  brigade  of  Splaine  now  held  the  left  of  the  Union  line. 
Captain  James  Tucker  of  the  Twenty-fifth  Massachusetts  Regi 
ment  had  command  of  the  brigade  line  of  skirmishers  and,  as  it 
proved,  it  was  this  line  and  regiment  which  was  to  receive  the  first 
shock  of  the  impending  onslaught;  for  Bragg,  anxious  for  victory, 
appeared  to  think  that  the  time  had  come  when  his  army  must 
break  the  Union  line  and  disperse  the  threatening  army  of  Schofield. 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  345 

General  Carter  and  Colonel  Splaine,  having  looked  over  the 
lines,  and  knowing  that  so  much  was  at  stake,  as  the  enemy  would 
hazard  all  in  an  attempt  to  turn  this,  the  left  of  our  line  of  battle, 
General  Carter  asked  to  be  strengthened,  and  General  Cox 
ordered  re-enforcements  to  be  sent  him;  whereupon  the  Ninth 
New  Jersey  Infantry,  Colonel  James  Stewart,  Jr.,  was  sent  on  the 
double-quick  from  Palmer  on  the  right,  to  cover  the  new  extension 
of  Carter's  line.  At  the  same  time  the  batteries  of  both  Ruger's  and 
Carter's  division  were  parked  in  our  rear,  to  be  used  wherever 
needed  in  the  expected  attack. 

About  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  a  rattling  musketry  fire 
on  the  lower  Trent  road  denoted  the  fact  that  the  enemy's  advance 
had  struck  our  skirmishers,  who,  though  stubbornly  resisting, 
were  gradually  driven  in  by  the  overwhelming  masses  of  the  enemy. 

Though  anticipating  the  attack,  so  little  was  it  expected  at  the 
moment  it  was  made,  that  the  horses  of  the  artillery  park  were  not 
in  harness.  The  enemy  had  moved  rapidly,  and  our  cavalry, 
posted  to  give  warning,  did  not  succeed  in  communicating  until 
the  force  of  the  enemy  was  well  developed.  There  was  not  a 
moment  to  spare.  The  four  batteries  were  rushed  by  orders 
of  General  Cox  to  the  points  needed,  and  were  placed  on  and  near 
the  Trent  road,  at  our  works.  Our  turn  had  come.  Now  for 
work, — to  smash  down  the  living  barrier  that  stood  between  our 
forces  and  Sherman's  army.  Yes,  we  could  now  give  them  a 
sample  of  what  the  Union  troops  had  to  take  from  the  Confederates 
in  at  least  eighty  percent  of  the  breastwork  fights  during  the  war. 

Conducting  a  defensive  battle  behind  breastworks  on  the 
inner  circle  in  their  own  territory,  with  no  lines  of  communication 
to  guard,  a  choice  of  any  objective  point  at  which  to  strike,  less 
exhausting  marches,  and  as  things  count  in  war,  where  one  defender 
of  breastworks  is  equal  to  three  assailants,  usually  gave  the 
Confederates  a  great  preponderance  of  strength. 

But  why  do  they  hesitate?  Would  they  never  emerge  from 
the  woods?  Seconds  seemed  hours  to  our  men,  who,  with  every 
muscle  tense,  stood  anxiously  watching  the  fringe  of  trees  in  our 
front.  Our  using  but  little  artillery  on  the  Eighth  and  Ninth 
had  evidently  deceived  them.  Twenty-one  guns  belonging 


346  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

to  four  batteries  (as  close  as  they  could  work  them)  now  con 
fronted  the  enemy,  and  a  portion  of  which  were  sending  showers  of 
shrapnel  among  them  in  the  timber.  They  knew  they  had  yet  to 
meet  our  infantry  fire  in  the  charge  yet  to  come.  How  could  they 
escape  even  a  portion  of  it?  They  will  try,  so  as  one  man  they 
drop  to  the  ground,  and  send  forth  their  sharp  yell.  We  see  their 
ruse;  what  tricks  in  the  game  of  war!  Brave  but  deluded  men. 
They  would  not  grant  that  we  possessed  even  schoolboy  sagacity. 
General  Carter  shouts  out,  "Not  a  shot,  men;  it  is  their  old  game. 
No,  our  infantry  will  not,  as  the  enemy  hope,  waste  a  volley  on  the 
blank  air,  'Tis  human  targets  they  are  waiting  f or . " 

At  this  time,  and  right  in  the  face  of  battle,  there  occurred 
one  of  the  most  gracious  and  gallant  acts  between  man  and  man 
that  I  ever  remember  to  have  witnessed,  and  one  that  eloquently 
showed  the  fine  stuff  some  men  are  made  of.  As  the  Ninth  New 
Jersey  Infantry,  led  by  its  colonel,  James  Stewart,  Jr.,  came 
swinging  along  on  the  double-quick  to  re-enforce  us,  upon  halting 
his  men,  Colonel  Stewart  said,  "Splaine,  where  do  you  want  me?" 
when  quick  came  the  response,  "  Your  right  wing  on  the  right  of  the 
road,  your  left  on  the  left  of  the  road,  on  the  right,  by  file  into  line, 
double  quick,  march!"  When  this  disposition  of  the  Ninth  had 
been  made,  Splaine  rode  down  to  Stewart,  saluted,  and  said, 
"Colonel,  you  are  my  senior,  and  therefore  you  now  command  the 
brigade." 

The  lion-hearted  Stewart  looked  at  Splaine  a  moment,  and 
then  said,  "The  honor  of  the  day  belongs  to  you,  and  I  will  not  do 
anything  to  dim  the  lustre  of  your  achievements.  Give  me  your 
orders  and  I  shall  obey  them."  And  all  through  the  battle  the 
noble  Stewart  and  his  gallant  New  Jersey  Volunteers  fought  under 
the  junior  commander. 

Foiled  again  the  Confederates  soon  rise  to  their  feet  and 
emerge  from  their  cover.  Out  into  the  open  they  come  screaming, 
yells  and  flags  flying,  a  great  gray  billow  surging  along  towards 
our  position.  They  fire  a  volley  as  they  press  forward  en  masse 
formation.  It  is  Hoke's  division,  six  thousand  strong,  and  their 
deep  lines  reaching  way  back  into  the  timber.  It  was  a  grand 
sight,  from  war's  viewpoint. 


347 

With  stern,  set  faces  along  the  lines  of  blue,  our  men  lay 
waiting  the  onset.  We  are  cautioned  to  maintain  our  position 
ready,  but  not  to  fire  until  ordered.  Our  artillery  men  are  plying 
well  their  destructive  art;  with  guns  depressed  for  close  fire,  they 
are  quickly  changing  from  shell  to  canister,  their  guns  being 
doubled-shotted  with  those  deadly  missiles  that  are  now  cutting 
lanes  through  the  enemy's  ranks.  Yet,  on,  on  they  come,  through 
shell  and  canister.  Their  assault  is  furious,  determined  and  per 
sistent.  With  desperate  abandon  they  breast  that  iron  storm, 
while  vainly  striving  to  reach  our  works. 

But  look!  They  have  already  reached  their  goal,  when 
quick  as  thought  the  word  is  given  and  up  rose  the  men  of  Splaine's, 
brigade,  the  Twenty-fifth,  and  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  and 
Company  A,  Third  New  York  Artillery,  and  a  battalion  of  four 
hundred  provisional  troops  of  Splaine's  brigade,  and  the  Ninth 
New  Jersey — all  gallant  troops,  who  pour  a  well-sustained  fire 
straight  into  the  enemy's  front  and  right  flank.  The  fight,  a 
compact  one,  is  now  on,  and  the  battle  rages  in  all  its  fury.  The 
artillery  is  worked  with  grand  rapidity  and  makes  such  a  rapid 
succession  of  crashes  that  you  can  hardly  tell  where  one  ends  and 
the  other  begins,  which,  with  the  incessant  roll  of  the  musketry, 
as  it  re-echoes  from  the  woods,  makes  it  seem  as  though  pandemo 
nium  were  let  loose. 

With  the  desperation  of  madness,  the  enemy  rushed  against 
this  terrible  fire,  almost  reaching  the  muzzles  of  the  guns,  only  to  be 
hurled  back  again  and  again  by  the  fire  in  front  of  them.  Under 
the  rolling  veil  of  smoke  their  lines  are  seen,  many  of  them  are 
down,  their  splendid  column  is  torn  and  rent  and  shattered. 
Flesh  and  blood  could  not  endure  it.  A  brief  time  more,  when  they 
waver,  then  break  and  plunge  into  the  woods.  They  are  rapidly 
retreating  in  confusion  from  the  field,  and  leaving  about  two 
hundred  prisoners  in  our  hands. 

Anticipating  an  assault  elsewhere  on  our  lines,  our  troops  were 
forbidden  to  follow  the  enemy,  which  fact  allowed  them  to  take 
many  of  their  dead  and  wounded  with  them  in  the  retreat,  and  pre 
vented  us  from  capturing  more  prisoners. 


348  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

(Colonel  Splaine  has  often  been  asked  how  he  accounted  for 
the  small  losses  sustained  by  his  brigade  during  the  battle  of  Wise's 
Forks,  and  he  always  answers  by  saying  that  his  line  of  works  was 
so  perfect  that  his  men  were  protected  as  well  as  it  was  possible 
to  protect  men  in  the  field;  and  he  calls  your  attention  to  the  fact 
that  General  Jackson,  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  had  con 
structed  his  lines  of  defence  so  perfectly  (a  portion  of  the  defences 
being  made  up  of  bales  of  cotton,)  that  his  losses  in  that  memorable 
battle  were  only  eight  men  killed  and  thirteen  wounded,  while  the 
losses  of  the  British  were,  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  including 
their  commander,  about  2000.  Colonel  Splaine  says  that  General 
Jackson  knew  how  to  defend  his  position  with  the  material  at  hand, 
and  adds  that  Jackson's  defences  were  not  a  bit  better  than  those 
employed  at  Wise's  Forks. 

The  men  of  Splaine's  brigade,  having  no  entrenching  tools, 
dug  with  their  bayonets,  shovelled  with  their  hands,  platters  and 
dippers,  and  cut  down  trees  with  axes  hypothecated  from  other 
commands.  Before  the  fight  at  the  works  opened,  Splaine  had  his 
men  fell  trees  with  the  sharpened  points  towards  the  enemy, 
and  had  erected  a  line  of  chevaux-de-frise}  overhanging  the  trench, 
which  latter  was  about  six  feet  deep  and  six  feet  wide,  making  an  al 
most  impassable  barrier.  In  felling  trees,  it  made  an  open  space, 
over  which  the  enemy  must  pass  through  the  tangled  and  sharp- 
pointed  trees,  thus  giving  our  men  an  opportunity  to  mow  down 
the  exposed  Confederates  before  they  could  reach  his  lines.) 

Begrimed  by  the  smoke  of  battle,  our  men  had  ceased  firing. 
Then  went  up  from  them  glorious,  mighty  cheers  for  victory  and 
our  commanders, —  cheers  which  had  scarcely  died  away,  when 
firing  and  the  sharp,  familiar  yell  is  again  heard  on  our  right. 
Hill  and  Baker's  force  of  the  enemy  were  charging  on  the  center, 
where  lluger's  breastworks  were  held  by  a  single  rank.  The  Ninth 
New  Jersey,  from  Carter's  left,  were  sent  double-quick  to  support 
the  center.  Again  the  artillery  of  both  divisions  was  concentrated 
to  bear  upon  the  enemy  and  opened  with  good  effect.  Thus  being 
made  strong,  Ruger  was  enabled  to  deal  the  enemy  a  destructive 
repulse  and  a  severe  lesson. 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  349 

The  enemy  in  this  attack  drove  in  our  skirmish  line,  and  appar 
ently  they  were  disappointed  in  drawing  the  fire  of  a  line  of  battle 
behind  breastworks.  When  within  one  hundred  yards  of  Ruger's 
works,  his  whole  line  opened  upon  them,  and  after  a  short  struggle, 
their  line  was  broken,  and  they  fell  back  in  disorder;  whereupon 
some  of  Ruger's  troops  went  over  the  works  and  pursued  them  with 
a  strong  line,  taking  one  lieutenant  and  thirty-four  enlisted  men 
prisoners;  and  by  steadily  pushing  forward,  Ruger's  men  retook 
their  original  line.  The  engagements  lasted  about  two  hours. 

The  plan  of  the  enemy  seemed  to  be,  that  by  moving  on  the 
lower  Trent  road,  it  would  lead  to  the  rear  of  our  left  line  of  breast 
works,  and  cause  us  to  change  front  to  rear,  so  that  the  attack  in 
the  center  would  find  only  a  skirmish  line,  or  at  most,  a  feeble  line; 
and  thus  they  would  crush  us  between  two  attacking  forces.  But 
they  had  found  an  immovable  obstacle  to  their  march  of  victory; 
their  plan  of  battle  failed. 

RALEIGH,  N.  C.,  March  11,  1865. 
GENERAL: 

Should  Sherman  and  Cox  unite,  their  inarch  into  Virginia 
cannot  be  prevented  by  me.  In  that  event,  if  I  understand  your 
letter  of  February  3,  you  will  meet  us  at  the  southern  edge  of  Vir 
ginia  to  give  battle.  Would  it  not  be  practicable  instead  to  hold 
one  of  the  inner  lines  of  Richmond  with  one  part  of  your  army,  and 
meet  Sherman  with  the  other,  returning  to  Richmond  after  fighting? 
I  should  be  glad  to  know  as  much  as  you  think  prudent  to  com 
municate,  of  the  effect  upon  your  position  of  the  interruption  by 
the  Federal  army  of  the  railroad  by  Raleigh.  If  the  possession  of 
the  road  by  Raleigh  is  necessary  for  the  subsistence  of  your  army, 
unless  it  is  improper  to  ask,  I  should  be  glad  to  be  informed.  I  beg 
you  to  inform  me  of  everything  in  your  affairs  which  is  connected 
with  my  operation,  such  as  may  be  dependent  upon  them,  that  I 
may  do  my  utmost  to  aid  you.  I  shall  also  be  grateful  for  any 
instructions  you  may  have  to  give  me.  I  am, 

Very  Respectfully, 

General  R.  E.  LEE,  General-in-Chief.         J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  General. 

(Extract  of  Confederate  correspondence,  Volume  XL VII., 
Part  I,  pp.  1052-1054,  official  records  of  the  Rebellion.) 


350  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

The  triumphant  cheers  of  Ruger's  men  were  now  answered 
all  along  our  line,  for  a  victory  was  won  that  gave  us  an  important 
step  forward  in  the  campaign;  for  to  unite  with  Sherman  was  the 
single  desire  that  dominated  our  troops. 

We  will  now  return  to  the  left,  where  death  and  joy  (war's 
paradox)  ruled  the  hour.  Our  men  had  gone  over  the  works,  and 
were  viewing  war's  harvest.  The  storm  of  death  had  passed  away, 
but  all  around  was  the  lament  of  "  after  the  battle.' '  The  wounded 
whose  cries  were  a  medley,  chiefly  of  groans,  were  being  brought 
to  the  field  hospital  on  stretchers,  where  Surgeon  Mulford  and  his 
assistants  were  busily  engaged  in  ministering  to  the  wounded. 
Ah,  how  vivid  today  is  my  memory  of  that  desolate  scene  of  al 
most  fifty  years  ago,  as  again  1  see  the  light  rain  fall  upon  the  up 
turned  faces  of  the  dead! — a  scene  which  causes  one  to  ask  what 
would  be  the  value  of  what  is  called  glory,  if  weighed  on  the  battle 
field  and  among  the  dead. 

Sherman  said  that  war  is  hell,  and  the  scenes  before  us  verified 
his  words,  for  the  ground  in  the  open,  and  away  back  into  the  tim 
ber,  was  thickly  strewn  with  the  dead  and  the  wounded, — some  in 
groups,  as  they  fell  and  died  across  one  another.  Men  were  lying 
in  every  possible  attitude,  with  every  conceivable  expression  on 
their  countenances.  The  faces  of  these  were  frequently  distorted, 
and  gave  every  evidence  of  the  mental  and  physical  agony  they 
had  unconsciously  passed  through. 

At  one  place  lay  one  of  the  dead,  with  legs  nearly  severed  from 
the  body,  his  plastic  features  plainly  showing  the  anguish  he  had 
endured.  Some  had  been  killed  by  a  single  bullet,  the  wounds 
scarcely  perceptible,  and  the  features  as  placid  as  though  the  tired 
soldier  had  calmly  laid  down  to  rest. 

General  Schofield  had  now  arrived  on  the  field  from  Newbern, 
and  was  in  consultation  with  General  Cox;  and  seeing  the  persistent 
character  of  Bragg's  efforts,  he  sent  urgent  messages  to  General 
Couch  to  hasten  the  marching  of  his  command;  and  to  General 
Grant  the  following  dispatch  w^as  sent : 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  351 

WISE'S  FORKS,  March  10,  1865. 
Lieutenant-General  GRANT  : 

The  enemy  made  a  heavy  attack  upon  our  center,  and  left 
today,  but  was  decisively  repulsed  with  heavy  loss, — his  dead  and 
badly  wounded  men  left  upon  the  field.  We  took  several  hundred 
prisoners.  Our  loss  was  small.  General  Couch  is  only  twelve 
miles  away  from  here  tonight,  and  will  be  up  early  in  the  morning. 
We  took  prisoners  from  Lee's  and  Stewart's  corps.  They  say  two 
corps  are  here,  and  the  rest  of  Johnston's  are  coming. 

J.  M.  SCHOFIELD, 

Major-General. 

GUM  SWAMP,  March  10,  1865,  2:30  P.  M. 
Colonel  SAVAGE  : 

You  must  get  scouts  through  to  General  Couch  at  speed,  say 
ing  that  I  have  been  attacked  today  by  Lee's  corps  and  other  troops 
but  have  repulsed  them;  still,  his  presence  at  the  earliest  moment 
and  by  forced  marches,  is  very  important.  General  Schofield  is 
here,  and  directs  that  he  take  the  shortest  and  quickest  route  to 
this  point,  without  regard  to  his  dispatch  dated  last  evening.  This 
word  must  go  through  tonight  if  horse-flesh  will  carry  it. 

J.  D.  Cox,  Major-General. 

Major-Gerieral  D.  N.  Couch,  with  two  divisions  of  the  Twenty- 
third  corps,  arrived  near  to  our  forces  after  a  five  days' forced  march 
through  rain  and  mud  from  Wilmington, — a  speedy  passage,  con 
sidering  the  wretched  condition  of  the  roads  and  swollen  streams 
over  which  they  had  to  pass;  and  it  was  undoubtedly  the  arrival 
of  these  commands  that  caused  the  hasty  departure  of  Bragg,  he 
having  left  our  front  on  the  evening  of  the  10th. 

In  the  afternoon,  men  from  our  brigade  were  employed  in  dig 
ging  trenches  in  which  to  bury  the  enemy's  dead.  While  our  men 
were  bringing  the  bodies  to  the  trenches,  others  were  searching  the 
thicket  for  those  of  the  enemy  who,  with  animal  instinct,  had 
crawled  in  there  to  die  unseen;  and  with  the  rude  tenderness  of 
soldiers,  we  laid  them  in  their  graves,  with  only  their  gory  garments 
around  them. 


352  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

That  evening  there  was  a  happy  commingling  of  our  troops 
all  along  the  line.  The  events  of  the  day  were  discussed,  the  old 
war  songs  were  sung,  and  "Sherman!  Sherman!"  was  talked  of 
everywhere  one  turned,  among  the  men;  while  around  the  camp- 
fires,  wit  flashed  forth  in  many  a  happy  jest, the  hardship  of  the  past 
for  the  time  being  forgotten  in  the  joyful  gayety  that  prevailed  in 
camp. 

The  loss  to  our  forces  while  defending  our  breastworks  against 
the  assaults  of  Bragg's  troops,  was  as  follows:  Killed,  five  officers 
and  sixty  enlisted  men;  wounded,  twenty-five  officers  and  294 
enlisted  men;  captured  or  missing,  twenty-three  officers  and  1930 
enlisted  men;  total,  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  2337. 

The  prisoners  captured  by  us  numbered  266.  A  conservative 
estimate,  verified  by  prisoners  taken,  placed  the  loss  to  the  enemy 
in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners  at  1500.  The  nature  of  the  en 
gagement  wras  the  oft-repeated  one,  of  destructive  repulse  from  a 
force  behind  breastworks. 

After  this  decisive  battle, — one  of  the  last  for  the  old  flag  and 
an  undivided  Union, — our  division  commander,  General  Carter, 
promulgated  the  following  congratulatory  order : 

HEADQUARTERS  2o  Div.,  Div.  DISTRICT  OF  BEAUFORT. 

IN  THE  FIELD  NEAR  KINSTON,  N.  C. 

March  12th,  1865. 
To  Major  THEODORE  Cox, 

MAJOR  : 

Extract,  *  *  *  *  *  j  desire  to  make  special  mention  of  Col. 
John  Malloy,  17th  Wis.  Vols.  comdg.  1st  Brigade,  and  Lt.  Col. 
Henry  Splaine,  17th  Mass.  Vols.,  comdg.  3d  brigade,  for  the  con 
spicuous  and  meritorious  part  taken  by  them  in  the  battle  of  the 
8th,  9th  and  10th  inst.  They  were  cool,  collected  and  brave,  and 
the  unusual  skill  and  energy  displayed  by  them  in  the  disposition 
and  management  of  their  brigades  at  a  critical  moment  in  the  con 
flict,  resulted  in  securing  to  our  Arms  a  signal  and  decisive  victory. 


353 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  Comdg.  Genl.  may  take  steps  to  have 
these  gallant  officers  suitably  rewarded. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

S.  P.  CARTER,  Brg.,  Genl. 

Comdg.  Division. 
Official,  H.  H.  THOMAS, 

Captain  and  Asst.  Adjt.  General. 

It  was  about  ten  o'clock  that  evening  when  a  heavy  downpour 
of  rain  put  out  our  fires  and  turned  our  empty  camp-ground  into 
a  scene  of  miniature  lakes  and  streams,  and  sleep  to  most  of  us, — 
except  what  we  could  get  by  sitting  with  our  backs  to  some  friendly 
tree, — seemed  out  of  the  question.  We  were  soon  soaked  from 
head  to  foot.  Everything  wre  possessed  at  that  time  was  a  reser 
voir.  The  storm  lasted  for  half  an  hour.  But  even  this  condition 
of  affairs  did  not  prevent  most  of  the  men  from  getting  that  rest 
which  soldiers  secure  often  under  the  most  trying  conditions;  and 
thus  the  night  was  passed,  until  the  enemy  was  aroused  at  dawn 
by  the  reveille  from  a  score  of  bugles  along  our  lines. 


During  the  hottest  of  the  battle  of  Wise's  Forks,  Sergeant 
Kelley  was  sent  with  Corporal  Charles  E.  Flanders  of  the  same 
company,  to  observe  the  effect  of  the  Union  Artillery  fire  on  a  cer 
tain  portion  of  the  enemy's  line.  The  danger  was  great,  and  the 
work  was  so  faithfully  performed,  after  a  narrow  escape  from  being 
taken  prisoners,  that  Colonel  Splaine  complimented  both  men  on 
The  Field. 


During  the  heat  of  the  fighting  at  Wise's  Forks,  Corporal 
Flanders  was  detailed  to  accompany  Sergeant  Joseph  G.  Kelley , 
for  the  purpose  of  observing  the  effect  of  our  artillery  fire  on  the 
enemy's  right  flank.  Both  performed  the  task  so  faithfully  that 
important  information  as  to  the  enemy's  position  was  secured. 
They  narrowly  escaped  being  made  prisoners  of  wrar.  Colonel 
Splaine  thanked  them  for  their  gallantry  and  good  judgment. 


354  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

WISE'S  FORKS,  1865. 


CAPTURE  OF  UPHAM 's  BRIGADE  AND  HONORABLE  MENTION. 
By  GENERAL  CARTER. 

In  his  report  of  the  movements  and  operations  of  his  division 
from  the  7th  to  the  10th  of  March,  1865,  Brigadier-General  S.  P. 
Carter,  in  command  of  the  Second  Division  of  the  Corps,  thus 
describes  the  events  of  the  battle  of  Wise's  Forks  (which  he  desig 
nates  "The  battle  of  Kinston"),  leading  up  to  the  capture  of  Up- 
ham's  brigade. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  Colonel  Upham  reported  that 
during  the  night  he  had  advanced  his  skirmish  line  to  within  a  short 
distance  of  the  creek,  and  that  the  men  were  all  protected  by  rifle 
pits.  There  was  some  artillery  firing,  principally  by  the  rebels,  but 
only  an  occasional  shot  from  the  skirmish  line.  In  the  forenoon  I 
rode  up  to  Dover  road  and  examined  a  portion  of  Colonel  Upham's 
lines,  and  had  from  him  a  statement  that  the  orders  of  the  preced 
ing  day  had  been  carried  out.  While  there,  I  received  a  note  from 
Major  Clarkson,  Twelfth  New  York  Cavalry,  advising  me  that 
negroes  reported  some  2000  rebels  had  passed  down  the  Trent  road 
early  that  morning.  I  showed  the  note  to  Colonel  Upham,  and 
advised  the  major-general  commanding  of  the  fact.  I  sent  at  once 
to  headquarters,  and  ordered  200  men  of  the  Seventeenth  Massa 
chusetts  to  be  moved  up  to  strengthen  the  post  at  the  intersection 
of  British  and  Dover  roads. 

"After  advising  Colonel  Upham  to  use  great  vigilance,  and 
directing  the  pickets  at  the  intersection  of  British  and  Dover  roads 
to  throw  up  works  for  their  protection,  I  started  on  my  return  to 
Wise's  Forks.  Just  before  reaching  that  point,  I  was  overtaken  by 
Major  West  of  the  Twelfth  New  York  Cavalry,  who  reported  his 
pickets  were  being  driven  in  at  the  bridge.  Immediately  on  reach 
ing  headquarters,  a  note  was  dispatched  to  Colonel  Upham,  advis 
ing  him  of  the  fact,  but  as  the  orderly  did  not  return,  it  is  supposed 
he  was  captured. 


SPLAINE'S  BRIGADE.  355 

"The  Eighty-fifth  New  York  Infantry  (Captain  King)  was 
hurried  up  the  Dover  road  to  report  to  him,  with  instructions  to  be 
ready  for  immediate  action,  as  the  rebels  were  reported  moving  in 
the  direction  of  the  road  on  which  he  was  marching.  Soon  after 
ward,  a  staff  officer  of  Colonel  Upham  rode  up  and  reported  that 
their  brigade  had  been  attacked,  and  nearly  the  whole  of  it  killed, 
wounded  or  captured,  and  one  gun  of  Battery  I,  Third  New  York 
Light  Artillery  lost.  I  at  once  started  up  the  Dover  road  to  learn 
for  myself  the  true  state  of  affairs.  When  near  the  intersection  of 
the  British  and  Dover  roads,  I  came  in  sight  of  the  abandoned  gun, 
which  had  been  retaken  by  the  detachment  from  the  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  Infantry,  but  before  they  could  cut  the  traces  of 
the  dead  horses,  by  which  it  was  encumbered,  they  were  attacked 
in  such  heavy  forces  that  they  were  forced  back  in  the  direction  of 
Wise's  Forks.  After  falling  back  a  short  distance  they  reformed  on 
each  side  of  the  road,  a  line  of  skirmishers  advanced  and  a  portion 
of  our  lost  ground  was  regained.  The  Eighty-fifth  New  York 
Infantry  failed  to  form  a  junction  with  Colonel  Upham  and  re 
turned  through  the  woods  with  small  loss. 

"The  Ninth  was  employed  in  extending  and  strengthening  our 
works.  The  enemy  at  one  time  drove  the  skirmishers  from  their 
advanced  rifle  pits,  but  they  were  soon  afterwards  retaken.  The 
works  of  my  left  were  carried,  with  the  approval  of  the  major- 
general  commanding,  east  of  the  Trent  road,  and  were  providential 
ly  so  formed  as  to  aid  materially  in  repulsing  the  rebel  attack  on  the 
following  day.  *  *  *  *  About  noon,  on  the  10th,  the  left  of  our 
skirmish  line  was  driven  in  by  the  enemy,  who  advanced  in  strong 
force  (understood  to  be  Hoke's  division)  up  the  Trent  road,  and 
attacked  on  our  left  with  vigor.  In  less  than  an  hour  they  were 
repulsed  by  Splaine's  brigade  and  driven  back  with  loss  and  in 
confusion.  Some  time  afterward  an  attack  was  made  by  the  enemy 
on  our  right,  but  was  easily  repulsed.  *  *  *  *  *  *. 

"While  my  thanks  are  due  to  all  the  officers  of  my  command, 
for  the  gallant  manner  in  which  they  performed  their  duty  during 
the  attack  and  repulse  of  the  enemy,  I  desire  particularly  to  men 
tion  Colonel  Malloy  of  the  Seventeenth  Wisconsin  Infantry,  com 
manding  first  brigade;  and  Lieut.-Colonel  Splaine,  Seventeenth 


356  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Massachusetts  Infantry,  commanding  third  brigade.  They  were 
cool,  energetic  and  prompt  in  the  performance  of  their  whole 
duty.  It  is  hoped  they  may  be  suitably  rewarded  for  the  invalu 
able  services  they  rendered  in  securing  to  our  arms  a  decisive 
victory." 

My  sincere  gratitude  is  due  to  Captain  J.  Waldo  Denny  of 
the  Twenty-fifth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  for  the  many  items 
of  information  regarding  the  battle  of  "  Wise's  Forks,"  furnished 
by  him.  His  timely  and  courteous  assistance  has  rendered  my 
task  much  easier  than  it  could  possibly  have  been  without  his  aid. 

HUGH  YOUNG. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

AFTER  THE  BATTLE — ENTER  KINSTON — GENERAL  HENDERSON, 
THE  NEW  BRIGADE  COMMANDER — STORY  OF  MRS.  DR.  MILLER 
OF  KINSTON,  N.  C.,  PARTS  1,2,3  AND  4 — ON  TO  RALEIGH — GEN 
ERAL  SCHOFIELD'S  ORDER  OF  GOOD  NEWS — WAR  is  HELL — 
LEE'S  SURRENDER — BATTLE  OF  AVERYSBORO — ASSASSINA 
TION  OF  LINCOLN — STONEWALL  JACKSON'S  HORSE — MARCH 
TO  GREENSBORO — SPLAINE'S  IRISH-AFRICAN  FRIEND — HAD 
NEVER  SEEN  AN  IRISHMAN — GRAHAM  AND  GREENSBORO — 
A  SAD  WAR  STORY — A  MASSACHUSETTS  SECESSIONIST — HUGH 
YOUNG'S  GLEE  CLUB — WAR  SONG — IN  COMMAND  AT  GREENS 
BORO — QUARREL  WITH  WORTHINGTON — MAYOR  SCOTT  OF 
GREENSBORO  THANKS  REGIMENT — ONE-YEAR  MEN  SENT 
HOME — FOURTH  OF  JULY  SALUTE — MUSTER-OUT  OF  THE  VET 
ERAN  REGIMENT — REMARKS  BY  BENJAMIN  P.  ROGERS — COL 
ONEL  SPLAINE  's  VALEDICTORY — A  VERSE. 

On  March  14,  1865,  and  after  the  command  of  General  Couch 
reached  Schofield,  from  Wilmington,  the  army  took  up  the  march 
for  Kinston.  The  most  unpleasant  feature  of  the  battle  just 
finished  was  encountered  in  moving  about  two  miles  along  the 
main  road,  where  the  contending  armies  had  lost  many  men  and 
horses;  and  now,  it  being  six  days  since  the  opening  of  the  fight, 
and  the  weather  fairly  warm,  the  stench  from  the  swollen  and  putrid 
carcasses  of  dead  horses  and  bodies  of  half  buried  men,  made  the 
short  march  almost  unbearable.  At  least  a  hundred  swollen  car 
casses  of  animals  were  strewn  along  the  road,  and  of  the  hundreds 
of  bodies  of  men  buried,  many  of  them,  owing  to  the  hurried  re 
treat  of  the  enemy  from  the  battlefield,  showed  here  and  there 
a  leg  or  an  arm  protruding  above  the  ground.  Many  of  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  now  advancing  Union  Army  were  made  sick  at 
their  stomachs  by  the  stench,  and  it  was  a  common  remark  among 

[357] 


358  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

them  that  they  would  rather  go  into  another  fight  than  march 
through  that  awful  place. 

On  the  15th  the  command  entered  Kinston,  being  compelled 
to  cross  the  river  on  pontoons,  the  enemy  having  burnt  the  only 
bridge  leading  to  the  town.  It  marched  through  and  beyond  the 
town,  and  there  threw  up  some  pretty  good  defensive  works,  as  on 
the  heights  beyond  could  be  seen  detachments  of  the  army  of  Bragg 
and  Hoke. 

On  the  19th,  heavy  firing  near  Smithfield  was  heard.  Splaine's 
brigade  was  broken  up,  and  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  now 
became  part  of  the  first  brigade,  second  division,  Division  of  Beau 
fort,  Colonel  Classon  commanding.  On  the  20th,  marched  to 
Whitehall,  and  on  the  21st  entered  Goldsboro,  and  at  once  threw 
up  breastworks.  No  chances  could  be  taken,  as  everything  de 
pended  on  meeting  and  supplying  Sherman's  army. 


SHERMAN'S  ADVANCE  ARRIVES. 

On  March  22d,  while  still  at  work  on  lines  of  defence,  about 
2  P.M.,  word  that  Sherman  was  within  five  miles  was  received, and 
later  in  the  day  his  advance  joined  our  forces.  Next  day  (23d) 
the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  was  ordered  to  Bear  Creek  to 
guard  that  point,  and  at  the  same  time  get  out  some  heavy  timber 
for  Sherman's  construction  corps  to  build  a  bridge  across  the  stream, 
the  former  bridge  having  been  burned  by  the  enemy. 

Colonel  Splaine,  who  had  resumed  command  of  his  regiment, 
first  threw  up  works  to  defend  his  position,  after  which  more  than 
half  the  men  were  kept  busy  cutting  down  timber,  and  shaping 
the  same  for  bridge  purposes.  This  work  lasted  all  that  day  and 
part  of  the  following  day.  On  the  24th,  the  regiment  being  short 
of  rations,  Colonel  Splaine  ordered  Captain  Charles  O.  Fellows, 
with  two  companies,  to  take  wagons  out  with  them,  and  to  sieze 
enough  food  to  last  a  few  days.  After  Captain  Fellows'  force  had 
departed,  Colonel  Splaine  decided  to  follow,  and  found  the  two 
companies  at  a  rich  farmer's  house  taking  the  necessary  supplies. 
Fellows  had  thrown  out  skirmishers,  as  he  well  knew  that  Wade 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  359 

Hampton's  Confederate  Cavalry  were  prowling  around  in  that 
section. 

Just  as  Captain  Fellows  was  about  to  march  back  to  camp,  the 
sergeant  of  the  pickets  came  running  in  and  reported  that  a  con 
siderable  command  of  cavalry  was  approaching.  Splaine  told 
Fellows  to  get  into  position  for  a  fight,  while  the  Colonel  dashed 
out  to  the  skirmishers,  to  view  the  approaching  command. 

Adjusting  his  field  glass,  he  beheld  a  sight  which  made  him 
burst  out  laughing.  He  saw  in  the  distance  about  three  hundred 
men,  all  mounted,  and  dressed  in  all  conceivable  raiment.  He  at 
once  concluded  that  they  were  a  body  of  Sherman's  "  bummers," 
so-called;  but,  taking  no  chances,  sent  an  officer  with  a  flag  of  truce 
to  communicate  with  the  party,  and  if  it  should  be  the  enemy,  to 
demand  their  surrender  or  fight  after  the  flag  returned;  if  friends, 
to  halt  them  and  bring  their  chief  officer  in  for  consultation.  The 
colonel's  guess  was  right.  They  were  "  bummers' '  commanded  by 
a  sergeant,  the  latter  reporting  to  the  colonel.  After  a  parley,  they 
were  ordered  into  camp,  where  they  were  detained  until  the  Seven 
teenth  returned  to  Goldsboro,  when  the  gang  was  turned  over  to 
the  proper  officer. 

In  the  meantime  the  construction  corps,  under  competent 
engineer  officers  arrived,  and  in  four  hours  had  the  bridge  built, 
— though  the  span  was  sixty  feet, — so  that  an  engine  was  run  over 
it.  The  bridge  was  a  good  one  and  may  stand  there  today. 

On  the  25th  the  regiment  was  ordered  back  to  Goldsboro.  On 
the  way  it  stopped  at  a  farmhouse  and  had  dinner  prepared  and 
eaten  there.  The  colonel,  noticing  that  the  people  of  the  house 
had  not  eaten  any  dinner,  took  the  father  of  the  family  into  his 
confidence,  and  found  that  they  had  not  eaten  anything  for  two 
days,  because  they  had  nothing  to  eat,  Hampton's  men  having 
stripped  them  of  everything  they  had  in  the  shape  of  food.  Feel 
ing  for  the  poor  people,  the  colonel  gave  them  everything  there 
was  to  eat  in  his  headquarters  donkey-cart,  hiding  it  under  a  bed. 
There  was  enough  food  there  to  keep  that  family  for  two  weeks. 
At  supper-time,  when  the  regiment  halted,  and  all  hands  hungry, 
there  seemed  to  be  no  supper  for  headquarters.  Splaine  seeming 
anxious  about  something  to  eat,  suggested  to  Major  Smith  that  he 


360  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

should  find  the  cook  and  hurry  up  the  supper.  The  major  was 
absent  about  fifteen  minutes,  when  he  returned  accompanied  by 
the  cook,  who  very  sheepishly  reported  that  there  was  nothing  to 
eat,  for  the  reason  that  at  the  farmhouse,  where  the  command  had 
dinner,  some  soldiers,  he  supposed,  had  stolen  every  bit  of  food 
there  was  in  the  cart. 

Splaine,  after  scolding  the  cook  roundly,  ordered  him  to  go 
among  the  company  officers  and  borrow  some  hard  tack,  sugar  and 
coffee.  The  cook  came  back  well  supplied,  and  headquarters  had 
something  to  eat  and  drink. 

After  supper,  the  command  took  up  the  march  and  reached 
Goldsboro  late  at  night.  On  March  30th,  lots  were  drawn  among 
the  captains  of  the  Seventeenth,  to  choose  one  to  command  a  firing 
party  to  execute  Private  Preble  of  the  Twelfth  New  York  Cavalry, 
Troop  D,  who  had  been  courtmartialed  and  sentenced  to  death. 
Captain  Thomas  R.  Keenan  was  chosen,  and  on  the  next  day, 
March  31st,  the  brigade  was  formed  in  three  sides  of  a  square, 
and  in  that  presence,  Preble  was  shot  to  death.  His  crime  was  an 
awful  one.  An  odd  feature  of  the  execution  was  that  hundreds  of 
the  Confederate  soldiers  witnessed  the  execution  from  across  a 
stream  about  three  hundred  yards  away.  No  shots,  however, 
were  fired  by  either  side. 

On  the  second  of  April,  the  regiment  was  placed  in  the  third 
brigade,  third  division  of  the  Twenty-third  Army  corps.  The 
brigade  was  composed  of  the  One  Hundred  Twelfth  Illinois,  One 
Hundred  Fortieth  Indiana,  Sixty-third  Indiana  and  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts,  Colonel  and  Brevet  Brig. -General  Thomas  J. 
Henderson  of  the  One  Hundred  Twelfth  Illinois  commanding; 
Brig. -General  Carter  commanding  the  division  and  General  Cox 
the  corps;  the  Twenty-third  and  Tenth  corps  making  Sherman's 
center  under  Major-General  Schofield. 


GENERAL  THOMAS  J.  HENDERSON. 

General  Thomas  Jefferson  Henderson  of  the  One  Hundred 
Twelfth  Illinois  Infantry  Regiment  was  commander  of  the  last 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  361 

brigade  in  which  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  Regiment 
served  before  the  close  of  the  war.  On  April  2,  1865,  the  brigade  in 
which  the  Seventeenth  had  been  serving,  was  reorganized,  and 
the  Seventeenth  assigned  to  the  brigade  of  General  Henderson. 
Henderson's  brigade  now  consisted  of  the  One  Hundred  Twelfth 
Illinois,  Seventeenth  Massachusetts,  One  Hundred  Fourth  Ohio 
and  the  Sixty  Third  Indiana  Volunteers  Infantry  Regiments. 
It  was  an  ideal  brigade,  and  was  commanded  by  an  ideal  brigade 
commander. 

General  Henderson  brought  with  him  a  high  character  as  a 
commanding  officer,  having  served  under  Generals  Wright,  Burn- 
side  and  Schofield  in  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Atlanta  Campaign  of 
Georgia  in  Tennessee,  and  closed  his  service  in  North  Carolina 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  bre vetted  brigadier-general  for 
meritorious  service  and  gallantry  in  action  in  the  Atlanta  and 
Tennessee  campaigns,  and  especially  at  the  battles  of  Franklin 
and  Nashville.  He  was  a  brilliant  man,  a  brilliant  soldier,  was  a 
strict  disciplinarian  in  the  true  meaning  of  the  word,  and  he  soon 
endeared  himself  to  every  officer  and  man  of  his  splendid  brigade. 

General  Henderson  was  born  in  Brownsville,  Tennessee, 
November  29,  1824.  He  was  educated  in  the  Brownsville  Male 
Academy  and  in  the  common  schools  of  Tennessee  and  Illinois, 
and  at  Iowa  City  University  of  Iowa  City,  Iowa.  He  is  descended 
on  his  father's  side  from  the  Hendersons  of  the  Highlands  of 
Scotland,  who  settled  in  Hanover  County,  Virginia,  many  genera 
tions  ago;  while  on  his  mother's  side  he  is  descended  from  the  Ed 
mund  Howard  family  of  North  Carolina,  many  of  whom  moved 
into  Tennessee.  General  Henderson's  wife,  Harriet  Butler  Hend 
erson,  was  born  in  New  York  City  in  1830,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Henry  Butler  and  Rebecca  Green  Butler  of  New  Haven,  Conn. 
The  general's  wife  is  descended  from  Samuel  Green  the  celebrated 
printer  of  Cambridge,  Mass. 

There  were  born  to  General  and  Mrs.  Henderson  four  children, 
three  daughters,  being  the  beautiful  and  accomplished  Mrs. 
Gertrude  R.  Dunbar,  Mrs.  Sarah  Ella  Durley,  and  Mrs.  Mary 
Louise  Farnsworth;  and  one  son,  Mr.  Thomas  Butler  Henderson. 


362  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

General  Henderson  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Abraham  Lincoln,, 
and  while  a  member  of  the  Illionis  legislature,  when  a  mere  youth, 
voted  consistently  and  persistently  for  Lincoln  to  be  United  States 
Senator.  He  changed  his  vote  finally,  at  the  request  of  Lincoln, 
to  Lyman  Trumbull,  in  order  to  defeat  Stephen  A.  Douglass. 
The  friendship  so  pleasantly  formed  between  Lincoln  and  Hender 
son,  in  their  youth,  lasted  without  interruption,  up  to  the  death 
of  President  Lincoln. 

Mr.  Lincoln  wrote  several  letters  to  Henderson,  thanking 
him  for  his  friendship  and  support  on  various  occasions,  photo 
graphic  copies  of  which  are  now  (1910)  in  the  possession  of  Colonel 
Splaine,  but  are  not  for  publication. 

General  Henerson  served  as  a  member  of  Congress  from 
Illinois  continuously  for  twenty  years,  ten  terms,  from  the  44th 
to  the  53d  Congresses.  At  the  present  writing,  he  is  chairman 
of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  for  the  government  of  the  National 
Soldiers'  Homes. 


STORY  OF  MRS.  DR.  MILLER  OF  KINSTON,  N.  C. 


PART  I. 

Another  of  those  curious  episodes  which  are  not  of  unfrequent 
occurrence  in  the  stirring  times  of  warfare,  and  which  serve  to  illus 
trate  the  adage  that4' truth  is  stranger  than  fiction,"  had  its  incep 
tion  at  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Kinston,  N.  C.,  December  14, 1862. 
On  that  day,  after  the  Union  forces  had  taken  possession  of  the 
city  and  settled  down  for  the  night,  some  in  vacated  dwellings, 
some  in  fields  behind  their  stacked  arms,  while  others  patrolled 
the  city  and  suburbs,  others  doing  picket  duty  out  of  the  city 
and  well  towrards  the  lines  of  the  Confederate  army,  many  officers, 
among  them  Captain  Henry  Splaine  of  Company  A,  Seventeenth 
Regiment  (who  has  given  the  story  to  the  compiler  of  this  history) 
strolled  through  some  of  the  principal  streets,  in  order  to  witness 
the  sights  in  a  city  just  captured  by  their  own  forces. 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  363 

The  streets  presented  a  gloomy  appearance,  the  lighting  being 
bad,  except,  perhaps  where  some  general  officer  had  selected  some 
imposing  residence  as  his  headquarters,  and  such  places  as  these 
presented  an  inviting  appearance,  by  contrast,  at  least.  One 
of  these  conspicuous  residences  attracted  the  attention  of  Captain 
Splaine,  because  he  noticed  a  number  of  Union  soldiers  under  arms 
in  front  of  it,  and  heard  some  hurried  orders  being  given  by  an 
officer  whose  voice  sounded  familiar  to  him.  Upon  drawing  near 
he  found  the  building  to  be  the  headquarters  of  the  provost  guard, 
under  command  of  Major  Jones  Frankle  of  his  own  regiment,  who 
was  provost  marshal  of  the  Goldsboro  Expedition.  The  captain 
also  noticed  that  at  some  distance  beyond  the  provost  guard 
station  a  large  fire  was  burning,  which  caused  some  excitement. 

Major  Frankle  hurridly  got  his  guards  together  to  proceed 
to  the  fire,  with  the  purpose  of  not  only  saving  property,  but  per 
haps  life  as  well.  When  he  caught  sight  of  Captain  Splaine,  he  ex 
claimed,  "You  are  just  the  man  I  want!  Hold  up  your  right 
hand!  and  before  the  captain  realized  what  it  was  all  about,  he  was 
sworn  in  as  acting  provost  marshal. 

The  fire  was  the  work  of  rebel  soldiers,  who,  under  orders, 
had  collected  all  the  bales  of  cotton  to  be  found  in  Kinston  and 
set  them  on  fire.  As  the  flames  spread,  the  conflagration  became 
spectacular;  but  through  the  exertions  of  our  men,  under  direction 
of  the  provost  marshall,  most  of  the  cotton  was  saved. 

Captain  Splaine,  now  finding  himself  filling  the  important 
position  of  acting  provost  marshal,  settled  down  to  the  business 
on  hand.  He  was  not  long  in  making  the  acquaintance  of  several 
Confederate  officers  captured  that  day,  among  whom  was  Lieu 
tenant  Evans,  who,  with  his  entire  company,  had  been  captured 
that  day  by  the  captain's  own.  company. 

While  conversing  with  these  officers,  a  handsome  woman 
entered  the  office  whose  dress  and  bearing  betokened  refinement 
and  respectability.  At  the  same  time  it  was  evident  that  she  had 
dressed  hurridly  for  the  street,  and  was  very  much  excited.  After 
looking  around  for  a  moment,  she  asked  in  a  loud  voice,  "Is  there 
a  commissioned  officer  present?"  "I  have  the  honor  to  be  one, 
madame/'  replied  Captain  Splaine.  She  then  said  "Then  sir 


364  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

I  ask  your  protection;"  and  added,  "I  am  a  Northern  woman." 
To  this  remark  the  captain  replied,  "It  makes  no  difference, 
madam,  whether  you  are  from  the  North  or  the  South,  you  shall 
be  protected";  and  added  that  it  gave  him  great  pleasure  to  be  in 
a  position  which  enabled  him  to  be  of  assistance  to  the  lady. 

The  lady  then  informed  him  that  she  was  Mrs.  Dr.  Miller, 
that  her  husband  was  a  surgeon  in  the  Confederate  Army,  that 
since  the  entrance  of  our  troops  into  the  city  her  home  had  been 
invaded  by  Northern  soldiers,  who  demanded  that  she  should 
furnish  them  food,  and  cook  it  for  them ;  that  she  had  shown  her 
willingness  to  comply  by  putting  her  servants  to  work,  cooking  for 
them,  but  had  found  it  impossible  to  please  them;  that  a  number  of 
them  became  abusive,  had  demolished  some  of  her  furniture,  and 
had  even  threatened  her  own  safety,  as  well  as  that  of  her  servants. 
She  finished  by  saying  that  they  were  a  pack  of  uncouth  men. 
When  the  story  was  told,  the  captain  said,  "  Madam,  I  will  pro 
tect  you  and  your  property,  no  matter  at  what  cost.' ' 

He  then  wrote  a  "  safeguard,"  and  looking  over  the  guards 
present,  espied  his  brother  Herbert,  to  whom  he  said,  "Take  this 
safeguard,  go  with  Mrs.  Miller,  and  give  her  the  protection  which 
she  requires.  Take  with  you  half  a  dozen  men  and  clean  out  that 
gang  of  fellows  who  are  making  trouble.  After  you  have  restored 
quiet  again  in  the  lady's  house,  you  may  dismiss  your  guards,  but 
remain  in  the  house  and  protect  it  until  further  orders.  Be  sure 
to  keep  your  musket  loaded  at  all  times  and  have  your  bayonet 
ready  at  hand."  (A  safeguard,it  may  be  explained,is  a  written  in 
strument  given  to  guards  in  charge  of  a  building  or  other  property 
in  time  of  war,  its  possession  and  terms  being  inviolable,  the  penalty 
for  forcible  disregard  of  its  authority  being  death.) 

In  choosing  his  brother  for  this  delicate  and  important  task,  he 
chose  wisely,  for  his  brother,  though  peaceable  of  disposition,  when 
on  duty  was  inflexible  and  would  not  be  trifled  with. 

The  guard  and  Mrs.  Miller  departed  for  her  home,  but  not 
until  after  she  had  obtained  the  full  names  of  the  captain  and  his 
brother  and  thanked  the  officer  for  his  prompt  response  to  her 
application  for  protection.  On  reaching  the  lady's  home  Herbert 
and  his  fellow-guardsmen  made  short  work  of  the  turbulant 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  365 

fellows  who  had  literally  taken  possession  of  the  premises.  After 
quiet  was  restored,  the  guards  retired,  one  by  one,  leaving  the 
captain's  brother  in  full  charge.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the 
latter  was  furnished  with  good  food  and  other  creature  comforts 
such  as  he  had  not  enjoyed  since  his  entry  into  the  service. 

After  Major  Frankle  and  his  provost  guard  had  returned, 
after  extinguishing  the  big  fire,  and  the  major  had  assumed  his 
duties,  Captain  Splaine  visited  the  home  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Miller,  to 
see  that  the  protection  he  had  given  her  was  ample,  and  that  his 
brother  was  properly  cared  for,  as  well  as  properly  instructed  in 
his  duties.  The  captain  spent  a  pleasant  half  hour  chatting  \vith 
Mrs.  Miller  and  his  brother.  During  the  visit  he  learned  much 
about  the  lady's  history.  She  was  of  a  most  respectable  Northern 
family,  as  will  be  seen  later. 

The  captain  called  again  the  next  morning  and  instructed 
his  brother  that  he  must  be  among  the  last  to  leave  the  city,  and 
to  see  to  it  in  the  meantime  that  the  property  and  person  of  the 
lady  be  protected  to  the  last.  Mrs.  Miller  was  most  profuse  in 
her  thanks  to  the  captain  and  his  brother,  saying,  among  other 
things,  "I  hope,  captain,  to  be  able  to  show  you  some  time  that  I 
gratefully  appreciate  your  kindness  for  having  protected  me,  my 
children  and  my  property.  You  are  a  chivalrous  and  honorable 
man;  your  brother  is  a  true  soldier,  and  in  bidding  you  good  bye, 
I  wrish  to  add  that  I  hope  God  may  bless  you  and  yours.' ' 

Herbert  remained  until  the  army  had  marched  out  of  the 
city  and  falling  in  with  the  rear  guard  did  not  catch  up  with  his 
regiment  until  night. 


PART  II. 

When  Mrs.  Miller  said  she  hoped  some  time  to  be  able  to 
show  that  she  gratefully  appreciated  the  kindness  shown  her, 
neither  she  nor  the  captain  expected  that  the  time  would  come 
when  she  would  have  the  opportunity  of  redeeming  that  promise; 
but,  as  the  sequel  will  show,  she  not  only  had  that  opportunity, 
but  that  she  nobly  redeemed  it. 


366  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

The  captain  occasionally  recalled  that  Mrs.  Miller  episode, 
but  as  time  wore  on,  and  as  the  excitement  of  the  campaign  and 
his  duties  as  an  officer  absorbed  most  of  his  attention,  he  simply 
remembered  it  as  one  of  the  many  opportunities  that  an  officer 
had  of  smoothing  the  rough  front  of  war  and  shedding  a  ray  of 
happiness  upon  those  who  suffered  much  in  its  vicissitudes. 

A  whole  j^ear  passed  before  the  captain  was  vividly  reminded 
of  his  kindness  to  Mrs.  Miller.  In  the  latter  part  of  1863,  the 
government  saw  fit  to  re-enlist  the  men  whose  terms  of  service 
would  expire  the  following  summer,  that  is,  as  many  of  them  as 
were  willing  to  re-enlist.  In  December,  1863,  Captain  Splaine, 
with  sixty-four  of  the  men  of  his  company,  who  had  re-enlisted, 
marched  to  the  paymaster's  office  in  Newbern  to  get  their  pay  and 
bounty.  Arriving  there,  the  captain  made  known  his  errand  to 
the  paymaster,  who  told  him  that  there  were  a  number  of  men 
ahead  of  him,  and  that  he  and  his  men  would  have  to  await  their 
turn.  The  captain  said,  "All  right,  sir,"  and  proceeded  to  mingle 
and  converse  with  a  number  of  the  officers  who  were  there  for  the 
same  purpose  as  himself.  After  a  short  time,  the  paymaster  came 
out  among  the  officers  and  inquired  whether  any  of  them  had 
taken  part  in  the  battle  of  Kins  ton,  fought  about  a  year  before. 
A  number  of  the  officers  answered  in  the  affirmative.  Then  the 
paymaster  said  there  was  an  officer  there  somewhere  who  had 
protected  his  daughter  after  the  battle  referred  to,  saving  not 
only  her  property,  but  perhaps  her  life,  and  that  if  he  could  find 
-that  officer,  he  would  like  to  reward  him.  "I  have  forgotten 
his  name/ '  he  said,  "  and  I  wish  I  could  find  him.' ' 

The  facts  related  by  the  paymaster,  recalled  to  Captain 
Splaine  the  incidents  already  related,  and  he  inquired,  "Do  you 
mean  Mrs.  Dr.  Miller,  major?"  The  major  at  once  said,  "Mrs. 
Dr.  Miller!  What  do  you  know  about  her?  She  is  my  daughter, 
sir." 

The  captain  said,  "Then,  sir,  I  am  the  officer  you  are  looking 
for.     I  protected  your  daughter,  and  am  proud  of  the  fact.' ' 
"And  your  name?' '  demanded  the  major. 
"  I  am  Captain  Splaine.' ' 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  367 

"That's  it!  That's  it/'  said  the  major,  and  taking  the 
captain's  hand,  tears  rolling  down  his  cheeks,  cried,  "I  thank  you, 
.sir!  I  thank  you!  May  I  not  reward  you?  Sir,  may  I  not  offer 
you  some  consideration  for  having  protected  my  daughter?' ' 

To  all  of  which  the  captain  replied  that  he  was  already  well 
paid  for  simply  having  done  his  duty  as  a  soldier  and  a  gentleman 
in  the  case  of  Mrs.  Miller.  The  major  inquired,  "How  have  you 
been  paid,  sir?' '  To  which  the  captain  made  answer  that  he  had 
the  proud  satisfaction  of  having  done  right  when  he  protected 
the  lady,  and  added,  "I  would  have  protected  a  Southern  lady  as 
quickly  as  I  protected  your  daughter,  although  perhaps  the 
pleasure  at  meeting  a  Southern  lady  at  such  a  time  might  not 
have  been  so  great.  My  country  pays  me  for  the  faithful  per 
formance  of  my  duty,  and  I  cannot  therefore  take  pay  from 
any  other  source.' ' 

The  major,  finding  the  captain  inflexible  in  the  matter  of 
•compensation,  excused  himself  for  a  moment.  The  captain  then 
noticed  that  several  clerks  had  been  summoned  by  the  major, 
and  a  few  minutes  later  his  sixty-four  veterans  were  called  up  by 
them  and  were  given  their  pay  and  bounty  as  veteran  volunteers. 
Again  there  was  a  hasty  consultation  by  the  major  with  one  of 
his  clerks,  followed  by  the  temporary  absence  of  the  clerk,  accom 
panied  by  two  colored  men,  upon  whose  return  there  was  a  general 
suspension  of  clerical  and  other  official  business,  special  attention 
being  paid  to  a  hamper,  which,  when  opened,  proved  to  be  a 
basket  of  champagne.  There  also  appeared  at  the  same  time  a 
box  of  nice  cigars.  Then  the  major,  to  explain  matters  to  the 
assembled  officers  and  others  present,  said: 

"Gentlemen,  give  me  your  attention  for  a  moment;"  and, 
when  all  showed  a  willingness  to  listen,  he  told  the  story  of  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Miller  of  Kinston,  and  of  the  protection  afforded 
her  by  their  brother  officer,  Captain  Splaine.  The  captain  felt 
flattered,  and  yet  embarrassed  at  the  recital  of  the  major,  and  still 
more  so  when  every  officer  and  clerk  came  forward,  shook  him  by 
the  hand  and  congratulated  him  for  his  gallantry  in  caring  for  the 
major's  daughter  at  a  time  when  there  was  danger  to  her  and 
discomfort  all  around  her. 


368  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

The  good  things  which  had  been  brought  in  by  the  clerk 
and  his  colored  assistants  were  now  dispensed  by  the  major  to  all 
present,  and  warm  and  patriotic  remarks  were  freely  offered  by 
the  officers,  all  joining  in  the  hope  that  the  lady  in  question  might 
live  a  long  and  happy  life,  and  that  her  father,  the  gallant  major, 
might  soon  be  united  with  her  under  peaceful  and  happy  conditions. 

About  a  month  after  the  events  just  related,  the  major  chanced 
to  meet  the  captain  on  the  street,  and  joyfully  informed  him  that 
he  had  succeeded  in  communicating  with  his  daughter.  He  took 
from  his  pocket  a  letter  written  by  her,  and  passed  it  to  the  captain 
to  read.  The  letter  was  full  of  expressions  of  devotion  and  love 
for  her  father,  and  after  writing  two  pages  about  the  family,  she 
expressed  herself  as  highly  pleased  that  her  father  had  been  able 
to  find  Captain  Splaine  and  thank  him  for  her,  and  also  expressed 
the  wish  that  her  father  and  the  captain  should  become  fast  friends. 
The  friendship  between  the  two  officers  so  peculiarly  formed,  it 
may  be  said,  lasted  while  they  were  stationed  near  to  each  other; 
but  in  a  very  short  time  the  major  was  ordered  away  to  another 
station,  and  they  never  met  again.  The  captain  was  sorry  to 
lose  his  friend,  and  often  thought  of  the  strange  chain  of  circum 
stances  which  had  brought  them  together;  but  as  time  rolled  on, 
he  began  to  think  that  the  end  of  the  Mrs.  Miller  episode  had  come 
at  last.  Not  yet,  however  for  the  strangest  and  most  interesting 
part  was  yet  to  come. 


PART  III. 

In  the  late  winter  of  1864,  and  the  early  spring  of  1865, 
Captain  Splaine  now  lieutenant-colonel  in  command  of  the  new 
Seventeenth  Regiment  (his  old  regiment  reorganized) then  stationed 
at  Shepardsville,  otherwise  known  as  Newport  Barracks,  North 
Carolina,  was  ordered  to  take  the  field  with  his  regiment,  in  a 
movement  under  General  Schofield,  having  for  its  object  the 
opening  up  of  communication  with  General  Sherman,  and  the 
supply  of  his  army  then  on  its  way  to  Virginia  in  the  comprehensive 
military  operations  to  end  the  war. 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  369 

At  this  time,  Colonel  Splaine's  wife  and  their  only  son  were 
on  a  visit  to  North  Carolina,  living  with  Uncle  Nat  Porter,  who, 
with  his  daughter  Nan,  had  given  them  a  pleasant  home  for  the 
time  being.  When  the  regiment  started  on  its  last  campaign, 
the  wife  and  son  were  left  behind,  but  were  well  provided  with 
funds.  While  on  the  march  from  Newbern  to  Kinston,  the  colonel 
was  appointed  acting  brigadier-general,  which  was  rapid  promotion 
for  a  young  man  who  was  only  a  captain  four  months  before. 

The  only  protection  which  he  could  give  his  wife  and  son  in 
his  absence  was  a  letter  addressed  to  any  commissioned  officer 
of  the  United  States  Army,  asking  for  such  protection  and  care 
as  they  might  stand  in  need  of.  Eight  days  after  his  departure 
from  Newbern,  the  battle  of  Wise's  Forks  was  fought,  and  during 
the  fight  Mrs.  Splaine  could  distinctly  hear  the  artillery  booming 
in  the  distance.  Knowing  that  her  husband  and  his  two  brothers 
were  in  the  fight,  it  may  be  judged  that  she  suffered  great  mental 
agony  while  waiting  to  hear  the  details  of  the  battle. 

On  the  eve  of  the  battle,  the  colonel  had  written  his  wife, 
begging  her  to  go  North  as  soon  as  she  could  get  away,  as  he 
knew  that  the  enemy  was  in  force,  and  evidently  intended  to 
make  things  pretty  warm  in  North  Carolina,  and  that  in  case  of  a 
reverse  to  the  Union  arms  she  and  her  son  might  suffer  at  the  hands 
of  men  who,  perhaps,  might  not  accord  to  her  the  consideration 
which  every  gentleman  owes  to  a  lady.  In  reply  she  said  that 
she  could  not  go  home,  as  she  felt  it  to  be  her  duty  to  remain  near 
her  husband  and  his  brothers,  so  that  she  might  act  as  nurse  in 
case  any  of  them  should  be  wounded,  or,  if  her  own  should  escape, 
then  she  would  feel  it  a  duty  (noble  woman)  to  nurse  any  Union 
soldier  who  was  wounded  or  sick  and  required  such  care. 

The  battle  of  Wise's  Forks  was  fought  and  the  victory  rested 
with  the  Union  troops,  whose  victorious  columns  pushed  on  and 
into  Kinston,  where  they  rested  several  days.  The  colonel, 
while  there,  thought  of  Mrs.  Miller,  but  his  duties  were  so  pressing 
that  he  could  not  find  time  to  look  up  friends,  his  purpose  being 
to  look  for  the  enemy  and  whack  him  when  he  could.  Besides,  he 
concluded,  in  all  probability,  she  and  her  family  had  left  Kinston. 


370  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

The  army  pushed  on  to  Goldsboro,  and  united  with  Sherman's 
army,  the  latter  then  much  in  need  of  supplies.  From  Goldsboro, 
the  colonel  wrote  to  his  wife,  again  begging  her  to  go  home,  but 
upon  comparing  notes  afterwards,  this  letter  never  reached  her. 
After  Sherman's  army  had  rested,  had  been  refitted  and  supplied, 
the  cry  was:  "On  to  Raleigh!"  where  it  was  expected  that  short 
work  would  be  made  of  General  Joe  Johnson's  army.  Before 
leaving  Goldsboro,  the  colonel  wrote  to  his  wife  again,  urging  her  to 
go  North,  but  this  letter,  like  thousands  of  others  sent  at  that  time, 
never  reached  its  destination  because  of  the  irregularity  of  the 
mails  and  the  general  interruption  of  all  lines  of  communication. 
Mrs.  Splaine,  not  hearing  from  her  husband,  became  desperate, 
and  made  up  her  mind  to  follow  the  army,  and,  if  possible,  join 
the  colonel.  She  reached  Kinston  one  afternoon,  finding  her 
self  a  stranger  in  a  strange  city.  She  could  not  go  any  farther  that 
day,  as  there  were  no  trains  leaving  the  city  until  the  next  day. 
She  inquired  for  a  hotel,  but  was  told  that  there  was  none  in  the 
town.  She  then  inquired  for  a  boarding-house,  and  was  told  that 
it  was  difficult  to  find  one. 


PART  IV. 

Here,  indeed,  was  a  situation  that  was  most  discouraging, 
and  called  for  all  her  fortitude  to  face,  but  she  set  out  bravely  to 
encounter  it.  She  now  spoke  with  several  colored  women,  who 
gave  her  little  or  no  encouragement,  until  she  came  upon  one  of 
the  real  old-fashioned  mammies,  who  told  her  that  there  was  only 
one  genteel  boarding  house  in  town,  and  that  it  was  kept  by  a 
great  lady  who  was  "right  'tickler  'bout  de  kind  ob  folks  she  took 
in."  The  good  mammy,  fearing  that  disappointment  would 
attend  Mrs.  Splaine's  efforts  with  the  "great  lady,"  said  that  if 
the  lady  "won'  take  you  in,  missus,  an'  you  will  come  wif  me, 
honey,  I  will  take  yous  to  my  own  house  an'  wait  on  you,  mam— 
'deed  I  will,  mam.  I  will  find  suft'en  to  eat  for  your  se'f  and  de 
dear  lil' boy." 

Mrs.  Splaine  now  said  to  herself,  well  if  the  "great  lady" 
refuses  me,  I  am  at  least  sure  of  some  sort  of  shelter  by  the 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  371 

good  old  colored  woman.' '  In  a  few  minutes  they  reached  the  house 
of  the  " great  lady."  It  was  a  fine  house,  considering  the  style 
of  houses  i'n  Kinston  over  forty  years  ago.  On  looking  at  the 
building,  Mrs.  Splaine  saw  signs  in  the  windows,  wThich  read: 
"  Respectable  lodgers  taken.  Best  of  references  required." 
She  thought,  "Well,  I  am  all  right  now,  for  surely  she  won't  refuse 
me."  Upon  rapping  at  the  door  and  waiting  for  a  few  minutes, 
a  lady  answered  the  summons  and  asked  what  she  could  do  for  the 
new-comers.  Mrs.  Splaine  said  she  was  going  up  the  country  to 
join  her  husband,  who  was  an  officer  in  the  Union  Army,  and  not 
feeling  well,  and  having  her  boy  to  care  for,  she  desired  to  rest 
for  a  few  days  before  resuming  her  journey.  She  added  that  she 
had  plenty  of  money  and  was  willing  to  pay  well  for  the  accom 
modation  which  she  desired  and  needed.  The  lady  said  she  was 
very  particular  about  the  character  of  applicants  for  accommo 
dation,  and  asked  if  Mrs.  Splaine  had  any  references  as  to  her 
identity  and  respectability.  The  latter  being  an  entire  stranger 
in  the  place,  and  supposing  some  local  reference  was  required, 
replied  that  she  had  none. 

"Then,  madam,"  said  the  lady,  "I  cannot  receive  you." 
Mrs.  Splaine  then  said  she  did  not  know  any  one  in  Kinston 
who  could  answer  for  her,  and  again  pressed  her  request  for  accom 
modation,  adding  that  she  would  deposit  sufficient  money  to  meet 
all  contingencies.  The  lady  then  said,  "Is  there  no  other  way  by 
which  you  can  establish  your  identity  and  respectability?' ' 

Mrs.  Splaine  thought  a  moment,  and  then  remembering  the 
letter  given  her  by  her  busband  to  any  commissioned  officer  of 
the  army,  replied,  "All  I  have  is  a  letter  given  me  by  my  husband, 
which  you  may  read  if  you  desire". 

The  lady  read  the  letter  very  carefully,  looked  inquiringly 
and  in  silence  at  the  new-comer.  Then  she  asked,  "Madam,  are 
you  the  wife  of  Colonel  Splaine?' ' 

"  I  am,' '  replied  Mrs.  Splaine. 

"Was  Colonel  Splaine  ever  a  captain?' ' 

"He  was." 

"Was  he  in  the  battle  of  Kinston  over  two  years  ago?' ' 

"He  was." 


372  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

"Has  he  any  brothers?' ' 

The  answer  was  in  the  affirmative, 

"  Kindly  name  the  brothers  who  served  with  him  when  he  was 
captain/ '  requested  the  lady. 

The  answer  came :  "  James,  William  and  Herbert.' ' 

At  this  confirmation  of  the  identity  of  the  stranger,  the  lady 
returned  the  letter,  while  her  manner  became  most  cordial.  She 
now  said:  "Mrs.  Splaine,  you  are  most  welcome  to  my  house. 
Your  husband,  Captain  Henry  Splaine,  and  his  brother  Herbert 
protected  me,  my  family  and  my  property  at  a  time  when  I  was  in 
dire  distress.  I  will  protect  you  and  your  son  now.' ' 

She  advanced  and  embraced  Mrs.  Splaine  and  her  son.  At 
this  juncture  Mrs.  Splaine  dismissed  her  mammy  escort,  but  not 
until  she  had  paid  her  well  for  her  proffered  hospitality. 

"Come  in,  at  once,"  said  Mrs.  Miller.  "Make  yourselves 
at  home,  and  remain  as  my  guests  as  long  as  you  please."  Both 
ladies  wept.  The  lady,  as  it  must  be  guessed,  was  no  other  than 
Mrs.  Doctor  Miller  of  Kinston,  N.  C.  The  time  had  come  when 
she  found  herself  in  a  position  to  repay  the  captain  who  had  pro 
tected  her  two  years  and  four  months  before. 

The  servants  were  at  once  set  to  work  to  provide  the  new 
comers  with  a  substantial  meal.  The  evening  was  spent  as 
pleasantly  as  could  be  expected  under  the  circumstances.  It  was 
a  curious  situation  that  surrounded  the  new  friends:  Doctor 
Miller  was  a  surgeon  in  the  Confederate  Army,  and  Mrs.  Miller 
did  not  know  whether  he  was  dead  or  alive.  Colonel  Splaine  was 
in  the  Union  Army,  pushing  on  against  General  Johnston's  forces. 
Notwithstanding  these  conditions  the  ladies  drew  some  enjoyment 
from  the  new  acquaintanceship  and  the  similarity  of  their  present 
condition  in  regard  to  the  absence  of  their  husbands.  But  Mrs. 
Splaine's  son,  a  boy  of  six  years,  fully  enjoyed  himself.  He  was 
soon  boss  of  the  house,  and  had  lots  of  fun  with  the  colored  people. 

It  was  learned  that  Mrs.  Miller,  not  having  received  any 
financial  assistance  from  her  husband  for  a  long  time,  conceived 
the  idea  of  opening  a  genteel  boarding  and  lodging  house.  In  the 
course  of  the  sojourn  in  Mrs.  Miller's  house,  the  ladies  talked  on 
many  subjects,  but  the  one  which  pleased  the  hostess  most  was 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  373 

that  in  connection  with  the  battle  of  Kinston  in  1862,  and  the 
train  of  strange  circumstances  which  brought  Mrs.  Splaine  and  her 
son  as  guests  under  her  roof. 

Mrs.  Splaine  now  wrote  to  her  husband,  telling  him  of  her 
experience  since  his  departure  from  Newbern,  and  her  happy 
meeting  with  Mrs.  Dr.  Miller.  The  colonel  answered  the  letter, 
sending  warm  greetings  to  that  lady,  thanking  her  for  her  kindness 
to  his  wife  and  child,  and  directing  his  wife  to  go  North  as  soon  as 
she  had  become  rested. 

At  the  proper  time,  when  she  had  recovered  from  her  fatigue, 
Mrs.  Splaine,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Miller,  and  Mrs.  Captain 
Webber  of  the  colonel's  regiment,  went  to  Newbern,  where  she 
took  a  steamer  for  New  York.  Mrs.  Miller  absolutely  refused 
to  take  any  compensation  for  the  time  that  Mrs.  Splaine  and  her 
son  were  guests  in  her  house.  But  this  would  not  do.  Mrs. 
Splaine,  with  true  woman's  wit,  made  Mrs.  Capt.  Webber  the 
medium  through  whom  Mrs.  Miller  was  surprised  with  a  full  and 
liberal  payment  for  her  kindness  to  mother  and  son. 

During  Mrs.  Splaine's  life  after  the  war,  she  corresponded 
with  Mrs.  Miller,  and  received  many  pressing  invitations  to 
repeat  her  visit  to  Kinston,  N.  C.  Mrs.  Splaine  and  Mrs.  Miller 
were  good  women — good  mothers  and  good  wives.  In  stature 
and  general  appearances  they  were  not  unlike,  being  stately 
and  attractive  in  many  ways.  Mrs.  Splaine  died  in  1880,  and  Mrs. 
Miller  in  1900.  The  boy  who  figured  in  this  story  is  alive  today, 
and  is  well  known  among  billiardists  in  Boston.  His  full  name  is 
Richard  E.  Splaine,  but  is  commonly  known  as  Ned  Splaine. 
He,  at  the  age  of  25,  married  Margaret  Griffin,  the  beautiful 
daughter  of  the  late  Dennis  and  Margaret  Griffin  of  Quincy  street, 
Charlestown,  Mass. 

And  once  more  Colonel  Splaine  had  almost  forgotten  about 
Mrs.  Miller,  until  meeting  a  lady  not  long  ago,  in  the  State  House, 
who  knew  her  well  and  had  spent  some  days  with  her  in  Kinston, 
N.  C.,  a  short  time  before  her  (Mrs.  Miller's)  death.  This  lady, 
when  asked  if  she  knew  Mrs.  Miller,  replied,  "Did  I  know  her  well? 
I  guess  I  did,  and  I  knew  her  whole  family.  She  was  the  daughter 


374  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

of  Major  Henry  and  the  sister  of  General  William  Henry  of  the 
Union    Army." 

The  compiler  of  this  history,  while  talking  with  Colonel 
Splaine  not  long  since,  asked  the  truth  of  the  narrative.  The 
colonel  replied,  "Every  word  of  it  is  true;  and  speaking  of  Mrs. 
Splaine  and  Mrs.  Miller, — they  were  beautiful  women,  dear  and 
devoted  friends,  and  both  have  gone  beyond.  May  they  meet 
in  heaven." 


ON  TO  RALEIGH. 

The  regiment  soon  found  itself  at  home  under  the  new  brigade 
commander,  Brevet-Brigadier-General  Henderson  of  Illinois.  He 
\vas  educated,  brave,  affable,  but  a  disciplinarian.  He  had  seen 
plenty  of  fighting  in  Sherman's  army,  and  bore  the  enviable  name 
of  being  a  splendid  commander.  On  April  8,  a  telegram  from  General 
Grant  to  General  Sherman  gave  this  important  information: 

April  2cl,  1865. 
To  Major-General  SHERMAN  : 

Lee's  men  are  scattering  and  going  to  their  homes  by  thou 
sands.  I  will  push  him  to  the  end.  Push  Johnston  in  the  mean 
time,  and  let  us  finish  up  this  job  at  once. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieut. -General. 

(An  official  copy  of  this  dispatch  is  in  the  hands  of  Colonel 
Splaine  at  this  writing.) 

This  good  news  was  immediately  followed  by  the  news  that 
Richmond  had  been  captured,  along  with  25,000  prisoners  and 
500  pieces  of  artillery.  General  Henderson  deemed  the  news  so 
important  that  he  invited  all  the  officers  of  his  brigade  to  head 
quarters,  announced  the  good  news  and  all  made  merry  and  were 
happy.  The  cry  now  was:  "On  to  Raleigh!"  and  on  April  10, 
Sherman's  army  began  its  march  for  the  capital  of  the  state. 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  375 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPT.,  NORTH  CAROLINA, 
GOLDSBORO,  N.  C.,  April  7,  1865. 
SPECIAL  FIELD  ORDERS, 
No.  24. 

The  following  orders  were  re-published  for  the  information 
of  this  command: 

HEADQUARTERS  MIL.  Div.  OF  THE  Miss. 

IN  THE  FIELD,  GOLDSBORO,  N.  C.,  April  6,  1865. 

SPECIAL  FIELD  ORDERS, 

No  49. 

The  following  telegram  just  received  is  announced  with  great 
pleasure  and  satisfaction  by  the  General-in-chief  for  the  informa 
tion  of  the  army. 

CITY  POINT,  Va.,  April  6,  1865. 
To  Major-Gen.  W.  T.  SHERMAN: 

On  Monday  morning  the  second  (2)  we  charged  and  carried 
the  enemy's  entire  line  south  of  the  Appamatox,  defeated  and  drove 
back  Lee's  army  and  the  same  evening  enveloped  Petersburgh 
from  the  Appomatox  above,  to  the  river  below.  About  one  (1) 
o'clock  Monday  morning  Petersburgh  was  evacuated  and  we  took 
possession  of  it  at  8:15.  Weitzel  took  possession  of  Richmond 
with  his  command  north  of  the  James.  Jeff  Davis  and  his  cabinet 
and  Lee  with  most  of  his  army  are  retreating  in  hot  haste  towards 
Danville;  the  other  column  is  falling  back  on  Lynchburg.  We  are 
pressing  vigorously.  Our  prisoners  will  number  from  twelve  thou 
sand  (12,000)  to  fifteen  thousand  (15,000)  with  several  hundred 
pieces  of  artillery.  Much  of  the  tobacco  and  cotton  in  Petersburgh 
and  Richmond  was  burned  by  the  enemy.  He  also  attempted 
to  burn  Richmond.  Weitzel  succeeded  in  putting  out  the  fires, 
but  not  until  several  districts  were  in  ruins.  Everything  is  quiet 
there  now  and  the  people  receive  our  army  with  great  rejoicing. 

(Signed)  G.  S.  BOWERS, 

A.  A.  G. 


376  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Army  commanders  will  order  a  salute  of  one  hundred  guns  to 
be  fired  from  each  permanent  fort  in  the  Department  of  North 
Carolina,  and  Department  of  the  South  in  honor  of  the  event. 
By  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  W.  T.  SHERMAN, 

(Signed)  L.  M.  DAYTON, 

A.  A.  G. 

So  much  of  the  above  order  as  directs  a  salute  of  one  hundred 
guns  to  be  fired  from  each  permanent  fort,  in  the  Department  of 
North  Carolina,  will  be  executed  under  the  directions  of  Brig. -Gen. 
I.  N.  Palmer  Comdg.  District  of  Beaufort  and  Brig. -Gen.  Jas.  R. 
Hawley  Comdg.  District  of  Wilmington. 

By  order  of  Maj  .-Gen.  SCHOFIELD, 

(Signed.)  J.  A.  CAMPBELL, 

Lt,  Col.  and  A.  A.  G. 
Official, 

W.  F.  HENDERSON, 
Captain  and  A.  A.  A.  G. 


HAD  NEVER  SEEN  AN  IRISHMAN. 

During  the  first  day's  march  fromGoldsboro,  the  Seventeenth, 
having  halted  for  dinner,  Colonel  Splaine  was  destined  to  receive  a 
benefit  because  he  was  Irish.  A  gentleman  came  from  a  nice  resi 
dence  near  by,  and  asked  the  colonel  what  part  of  the  country  his 
regiment  came  from.  The  reply  was  from  Massachusetts.  "Then 
you  are  all  Yankees?"  queried  the  visitor.  "Not  quite  all,  sir,'7 
replied  Splaine.  "The  great  majority  of  my  men  are  Yankees, 
but  we  have  some  Irish,  English,  a  few  French  and  a  few  Germans.' ' 
The  visitor  said,  "Now,  do  say,  have  you  an  Irishman  here?" 
and  continued  by  saying  that  although  he  was  fifty  years  of  age, 
he  had  never  seen  an  Irishman;  and  then,  in  a  confidential  way, 
said,  "I  understand  that  they  are  very  repulsive-looking  people." 
Having  thus  delivered  himself,  he  asked  the  colonel  to  show  him 
an  Irishman.  The  colonel  now  called  up  Mike  Sullivan,  to  whom 
he  spoke  and  then  dismissed  him,  without  revealing  the  true 
reason  for  summoning  him.  Mike  was  not  a  handsome  man,  but 


THE    SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  377 

he  was  intelligent  and  a  brave  soldier.  The  visitor  remarked  that 
Mike  was  not  a  repulsive-looking  man,  and  added:  "Well,  well; 
that  is  the  first  Irishman  I  ever  saw."  The  colonel  said,  "He  is 
not  the  first  you  have  seen."  The  visitor  insisted  that  he  was. 
The  colonel  said,  "No,  sir;  you  saw  me.' '  The  visitor  said  the  colo 
nel  must  be  joking,  but  the  latter  was  so  emphatic  in  his  assertion 
that  he  was  Irish  that  the  gentleman  begged  his  pardon,  and  in 
vited  the  officer  up  to  his  house  that  he  might  present  him  to  his 
wife  and  daughters.  The  colonel,  whose  larder  had  been  rather 
lean  of  late,  anticipating  the  gastronomic  delights  which  southern 
hospitality  might  yield,  consented  to  go. 

When  the  colonel  reached  the  house  and  was  presented  to  the 
ladies,  his  host  remarked:  "Only  think  of  it,  Colonel  Splaine  is  an 
Irishman,"  and  added  that  he  had  always  thought  the  Irish  were 
very  repulsive-looking  people.  The  eldest  girl, — a  beautiful  and 
accomplished  young  lady, — said,  "Why,  paw,  what  are  you  saying. 
If  you  had  been  in  Baltimore  as  much  as  I  have,  you  would  have 
seen  many  Irish  people,  and  I  want  you  to  know  that  they  are 
among  the  first  in  the  world.' ' 

Splaine,  who  was  more  interested  at  that  time  about  the 
cuisine  of  the  house  than  the  Irish  question,  was  soon  relieved  of 
anxiety  when  he  beheld  the  conventional  southern  mammy  trundle 
in  "right  smart"  a  table  laden  with  good  things  to  eat.  He  did 
justice  to  himself  and  the  whole  Union  Army  as  well. 

After  the  repast,  the  whole  family  entered  into  social  conversa 
tion.  They  were  bright  and  refined  people,  but  strongly  "  secesh.' ' 
Upon  being  asked  what  the  war  news  was,  the  colonel  told  of  the 
fall  of  Richmond,  and  that  Grant  was  chasing  Lee's  demoralized 
army.  The  news  was  a  great  shock  to  them.  They  couldn't 
understand  how  such  things  could  have  happened,  and  were  dum- 
founded.  The  colonel,  now  feeling  that  the  object  of  his  expedition 
had  been  accomplished,  bade  the  family  farewell,  and  returned  to 
his  command. 

"WAR    IS    HELL!" 

A  few  days  out  from  Goldsboro,  the  Union  troops,  in  pursuit 
of  Johnston's  army, — General  Henderson  and  staff,  halted  on  the 


378  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

roadside  one  day  for  dinner.  At  that  time,  Colonel  Splaine, 
mounted,  was  walking  his  horse  slowly  along  the  road,  killing  time, 
as  his  regiment  was  having  its  noonday  meal.  Upon  seeing 
Splaine,  the  general  requested  him  to  dismount  and  have  something 
to  eat.  The  colonel  was  willing,  but  circumstances  over  which 
neither  had  control  compelled  them  to  wait  a  considerable  time  be 
fore  they  could  attend  to  the  eating.  Loud  noises  on  the  hillside 
above  attracted  Henderson's  attention.  He  listened  for  a  moment, 
jumped  to  his  feet  and  looked  angrily  in  the  direction  of  a  respect 
able-looking  farmhouse,  from  which  arose  the  screams  of  women, 
barking  of  dogs,  cries  of  hens  and  chickens  and  quacking  of  ducks 
and  geese.  He  was  about  to  start  for  the  scene  of  the  disturbance, 
but  one  of  his  staff  told  the  general  to  sit  down  and  enjoy  his  meal, 
and  he  (the  staff  officer)  would  run  up  and  stop  the  disturbance. 
The  general,  however,  insisted  on  going  himself,  and  did  go  unat 
tended.  When  the  soldiers  who  had  caused  the  disturbance  saw 
the  general  coming,  they  skedaddled,  and  the  commotion  subsided. 
The  general  was  absent  about  an  hour,  and  when  he  returned  he 
was  silent  and  looked  sad.  His  subordinates,  judging  that  some 
thing  unusual  had  happened,  made  no  reference  to  his  visit  to  the 
farmhouse. 

After  a  long  pause,  General  Henderson  broke  the  silence  by 
saying,  "My  G-d,  this  is  awful!  What  do  you  suppose  I  found  at 
that  farmhouse?' '  He  said  he  found  the  men  of  his  own  regiment, 
his  own  neighbors  and  sons  of  neighbors  from  Illinois  robbing  his 
own  cousin's  house.  At  this  announcement,  the  whole  party  be 
came  interested,  and  sympathetically  inquired  what  it  all  meant. 
The  general  then  explained  that  Mr.  Howard,  his  own  cousin,  was 
proprietor  of  the  house  which  was  being  robbed. 

The  general  found  in  the  house  his  aunt  and  two  cousins, — 
young  women, — but  no  men,  as  the  latter  had  all  joined  the  Confed 
erate  army,  and  were  probably  killed  during  the  war.  The  general, 
after  this  recital,  ceased  eating  for  a  moment,  and  exclaimed,  "  War 
is  hell !' '  just  as  surely  as  Sherman  said  it.  The  hour  he  spent  with 
his  relatives  revived  the  lost  relationship  of  the  southern  and 
western  families  of  the  Howards, — formerly  of  Sampson  county, 
North  Carolina, — and  the  sadness  which  he  felt  at  finding  his  own 


THE    SEVENTEENTH    MASSACHUSETTS    REGIMENT.  379 

men  robbing  his  cousin's  home,  must  have  been  mingled  with  a 
degree  of  satisfaction  at  having  been  on  the  spot  to  protect  his 
helpless  relations,  though  he  had  never  seen  them  before. 

After  all,  the  robbery  in  question,  which  so  grieved  the  good 
general,  was  simply  a  case  of  foraging.  It  should  be  understood 
that  it  was  no  small  undertaking  to  supply  an  army  of  ninety 
thousand  men,  especially  when  it  is  considered  that  the  railroad 
lines, — the  only  means  of  transporting  the  immense  stores  needed 
for  the  sustenance  of  Sherman's  army, — were  nearly  worn  out,  and 
that  these  lines  were  being  tapped  quite  often  by  the  enemy's 
cavalry. 

The  men  of  Henderson's  regiment  were  short  enough  of  rations 
and  their  visits  to  the  substantial  farmhouse  on  the  hillside  was 
simply  to  obtain  a  few  additions  to  their  scant  grub, — a  few  hams, 
some  chickens  and  potatoes.  Henderson  was  a  sensitive  and 
honorable  commander,  and  never  permitted  his  men  to  crowd  the 
poor  natives. 

NEWS  OF  LEE'S  SURRENDER. 

On  the  12th  of  April,  1865,  while  Sherman's  army  was  halted 
for  dinner,  and  the  ninety  thousand  men  composing  that  grand 
army  were  scattered  along  either  side  of  the  main  road  to  Raleigh, 
some  quietly  sleeping  after  eating,  others  in  the  act  of  eating,  and 
still  others  joking,  smoking,  jesting  or  singing  patriotic  songs,  and 
all  receiving  the  warm  rays  of  an  April  sun, — which  was  fully  as 
warm  there  as  in  Massachusetts  in  June, — a  single  horseman,  hat  in 
hand,  bowing  to  the  right  and  left,  rushed  along  the  roadway  and 
in  a  loud  voice  tried  to  tell  the  army  something;  but  his  words 
were  so  indistinct  that  no  one  could  understand  him,  and  only 
laughter  and  derision  greeted  his  progress.  He  was  a  staff  officer 
who  had  been  chosen  by  General  Sherman  to  announce  something 
important  to  the  army — something  so  important  that  it  drove  the 
poor  fellow  crazy.  He  spurred  his  horse  madly,  rode  wildly  and 
tried  to  tell  something,  but  he  could  not  find  words  to  tell  it,  and 
when  he  reached  the  end  of  the  line,  a  general  officer  placed  him 
under  restraint,  and  seeing  that  he  was  hopelessly  insane,  and 


380  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

knowing  him  to  be  one  of  General  Sherman's  staff,  had  him  taken 
back  under  cavalry  guard.  After  a  lapse  of  half  an  hour,  another 
officer  was  sent  from  Sherman's  headquarters  to  tell  the  same  story. 
He  was  a  major,— a  noble-looking  fellow, — well  mounted,  a  grace 
ful  rider,  and  just  such  a  soldier  as  one  would  pick  to  lead  a  charge. 
As  he  came  down  the  road  bowing  gracefully  to  the  right  and  left, 
he  shouted  in  a  loud  and  distinct  voice,  "Boys,  Lee's  army  has 
surrendered!" 

That  was  enough,  and  then  there  were  ninety  thousand  crazy 
men  along  that  road.  They  yelled,  huzzad  and  cheered  again  and 
again.  They  rushed  at  one  another  embraced,  kicked,  thumped, 
wrestled,  turned  somersaults,  rolled  and  tumbled,  and  in  fact  did 
everything  but  bite  one  another.  They  were  uncontrollable,  be 
yond  all  restraint  and  discipline.  They  did  all  sorts  of  mad,  crazy 
things. 

The  news  meant  the  near  approach  of  peace,  when  all  would 
return  to  their  homes  and  friends,  welcomed  and  praised  for  the 
heroic  part  they  had  taken  in  suppressing  the  rebellion,  and  bring 
ing  to  all  the  people  the  blessings  of  peace  and  prosperity. 

The  men  of  the  Seventeenth  conceived  and  quickly  executed 
the  plan  of  cutting  down  a  straight  tree,  and  had  it  trimmed  by  the 
pioneers,  fastened  the  regimental  flag  to  the  small  end,  inserted 
the  large  end  in  a  deep  hole  and  raised  it  toward  the  sky.  When  the 
pole  was  securely  held  in  the  ground,  the  stars  and  stripes  were 
cheered  and  cheered,  men  from  other  commands  joining  in  the 
demonstration,  until  a  great  crowd  collected  about  it. 

Colonel  Splaine  wondered  how  his  men  could  have  accomplished 
such  a  task  so  quickly,  but  they  did  it  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to 
tell  it. 

At  this  time  General  Thomas  J.  Henderson  rode  along  the 
highway  to  see  what  all  the  commotion  meant.  As  soon  as  the 
men  espied  him,  they  shouted,  " Speech!  Speech!"  The  general 
declined,  but  the  rush  for  him  was  so  great  that  Colonel  Splaine 
said,  "You  had  better  say  something,  general,  or  they  will  tear 
you  off  your  horse!  They  are  crazy, — say  something!"  After 
a  moment  of  hesitation,  he  replied.  He  took  his  hearers  in  imagi 
nation  back  to  the  days  just  before  the  war,  when  heavy  and  fore- 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  381 

boding  clouds  hung  over  the  nation;  told  about  the  opening  of  the 
fratricidal  war;  of  the  many  disasters  to  the  Union  Armies  during 
the  four  years  of  its  continuance,  and  how  often  he  had  feared  that 
the  result  would  be  disastrous  to  our  forces,  and  the  life  of  the 
nation  crushed  out;  but  now,  happily,  "the  clouds  that  lowered 
above  our  house' '  had  been  dispelled,  and  under  the  blessed  dis 
pensation  of  Almighty  God,  the  sunshine  of  peace,  fraternity  and 
union  was  returning  and  warning  the  loyal  hearts  of  those  who  had 
despaired  or  doubted  so  long.  He  then  paused  and  said,  "It  is 
no  use;  I  can't  make  a  speech.  My  heart  is  too  full."  The  men 
still  clamored  for  a  speech,  and  then  the  general,  raising  his  hat  high 
above  his  head,  and  looking  reverently  at  the  flag  of  the  Seven 
teenth  waving  on  high  in  the  blue  vault,  said,  "The  only  speech  I 
can  make  is,  let  us  pray.' '  As  he  said  this,  the  tears  ran  down  the 
bronzed  cheeks  of  the  hero.  The  men  bowed  their  heads  in  solemn 
silence  for  a  moment,  and  then,  looking  up  gave  vent  to  a  wild 
cheer  which  could  be  heard  for  miles.  Then  looking  up  at  that  flag, 
the  vast  throng  sang  "The  Star  Spangled  Banner,' '  and  when  that 
anthem  was  finished,  some  singer  started  "Home,  Sweet  Home," 
during  the  singing  of  which,  by  the  assemblange,  there  were  many 
more  wet  eyes  than  dry  ones  among  them. 


Now,  it  was  "  after  Johnston!' '  and  for  the  purpose  of  bringing 
him  to  bay,  the  Fourteenth  and  Twentieth  corps  were  detached 
and  sent  in  pursuit  of  the  wily  Confederate  commander.  Johnston 
led  them  a  lively  chase,  and  in  order  that  no  battle  would  be  fought 
near  Raleigh,  deflected  his  course  from  the  main  road  leading  to 
that  city.  Johnston  was  fighting  the  Union  advance  daily,  attack 
ing  small  bodies  with  great  advantage,  but  when  the  main  body  of 
the  Union  Army  was  ready  to  punish  him,  he  wras  not  to  be  found. 


BATTLE  OF  AVERYSBOROUGH. 

As  our  theme  is  still  war,  the  writer  sees  nothing  amiss  in  re 
verting  to  the  battle  of  Averysborough,  fought  on  March  16,  1865, 


382  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

between  the  army  of  General  Joe  Johnston  and  the  Fourteenth 
Corps  of  General  Sherman's  army.  For  weeks  Sherman  had  been 
trying  to  bring  on  a  general  engagement  with  Johnston;  but  the 
latter,  knowing  that  Sherman  outnumbered  him  about  as  four  to 
one,  declined  to  meet  him,  contenting  himself  with  harassing  his 
enemy  whenever  opportunity  offered. 

At  last  Johnston,  by  skilful  manoeuvring,  drew  the  Fourteenth 
corps  from  Sherman's  main  body,  and  there  was  trouble  for  the 
latter  at  once.  Through  the  masterly  skill  of  Johnston,  his  army 
gave  the  Fourteenth  corps  a  sound  drubbing,  killing  and  wounding 
many,  taking  many  prisoners  and  capturing  many  pieces  of  artillery. 
The  writer  has  talked  with  several  commanders,  (some  of  them 
regular  army  officers,)  about  the  battle  of  Averysborough,  and  all 
of  them  agreed  that  it  was  the  most  skilfully  conducted  fight  on  the 
part  of  the  Confederates  that  there  is  any  record  of  in  the  annals 
of  war. 

With  his  small,  half-starved,  half-clothed,  unpaid  army,  with 
scarcely  ammunition  enough  to  finish  the  fight,  he  won  a  battle 
under  circumstances  so  adverse  to  his  side  that  his  victory  was  all 
the  more  notable,  and  stamped  him  as  the  equal  of  any  commander 
then  living. 

LINCOLN'S  DEATH. 

On  April  13,  Carter's  Division  was  halted  on  the  brow  of  the 
highland  overlooking  Raleigh,  a  small  body  of  cavalry  being  sent 
in  to  ascertain  conditions  there,  and  on  the  14th,  the  army  marched 
into  and  through  the  city,  going  into  camp  on  the  opposite  side. 
Carter's  division,  of  which  the  Seventeenth  was  a  part,  encamped 
just  outside  of  the  city,  and  settled  down  for  a  much  needed  rest. 

On  April  17,  there  was  a  rumor  that  President  Lincoln  had 
been  assassinated,  but  nobody  wanted  to  believe  it,  and  all  re 
garded  it  as  a  hoax;  but  on  the  19th  the  story  was  confirmed.  The 
sad  news  cast  a  deep  gloom  over  Sherman's  army,  and  some  of  the 
more  reckless  of  the  men  threatened  to  wreack  vengeance  on  the 
people.  If  Johnston's  army  had  been  then  surrounded  it  is  not 
difficult  to  guess  what  might  have  occurred. 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  383 

On  account  of  the  assassination  of  Lincoln,  and  fearing  that 
some  of  the  soldiers  might  attempt  to  avenge  his  death  on  the 
people,  Sherman  called  all  the  regimental  commanders  together, 
and  told  them  that  he  would  hold  each  one  responsible  for  the  good 
behavior  of  his  men  during  the  awful  excitement  consequent  on  the 
president's  death.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  not  many  of  those  colonels 
slept  for  the  three  nights  following,  doing  patrol  duty  themselves 
and  watching  their  guards  and  men  every  minute  of  the  time. 
Soon  the  men  began  to  realize  that  the  defenceless  people  were  not 
to  blame,  and  that,  after  all,  it  was  not  the  hand  of  a  Southerner 
that  committed  the  terrible  and  cowardly  crime.  Quiet  now  ob 
tained,  and  there  was  no  longer  any  danger  of  trouble. 

On  the  21st  of  April,  the  Twenty-third  Army  corps  was  re 
viewed  by  Generals  Grant  and  Sherman.  The  Ninth  New  Jersey, 
the  One  Hundred  Fourth  Ohio  and  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts 
were  specially  mentioned  for  their  soldierly  bearing  and  marching. 


SURRENDER  OF  GENERAL  JOHNSTON'S  ARMY. 

On  the  26th  of  April,  1865,  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston's 
army  surrendered  to  General  Sherman.  General  John  C.  Brecken- 
ridge,  former  vice-president  of  the  United  States,  conducted  the 
negotiations  for  Johnston,  receiving  the  same  terms  as  those 
accorded  to  General  Lee  by  General  Grant.  This  action  on  the 
part  of  Sherman  was  resented  by  Secretary  of  War  Stanton,  who 
declared  that  Sherman  had  transcended  his  authority,  and  threat 
ened  to  have  the  army  of  Johnston  recalled  and  new  stipulations 
imposed.  Sherman  won  in  the  controversy,  and  the  two  became 
bitter  enemies  while  they  lived. 


STONEWALL  JACKSON'S  HORSE. 

On  May  4,  General  Henderson,  with  his  brigade,  except  the 
Seventeenth,  took  train  for  Greensboro,  N.  C.,  leaving  the  Seven 
teenth  to  march  the  distance,  guarding  baggage  wagons  and  am- 


384  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

bulances.  With  the  Seventeenth  was  Lieutenant  Schaffer  of 
General  Henderson's  staff.  The  march  was  taken  up  on  the  fifth 
of  May,  and  soon  Colonel  Splaine  found  that  Schaffer  and  himself 
could  not  agree  about  marching  a  regiment  under  a  hot  sun. 

To  digress  for  a  moment,  it  may  be  said  that  while  Colonel 
Splaine  was  seeing  General  Henderson  off,  among  the  many  parolled 
Confederate  officers  on  the  cars  was  a  colonel,  who,  on  seeing 
General  Carter's  horse,  exclaimed,  "Oh,  there  is  Billy!"  Splaine 
inquired  what  he  meant,  and  was  told  that  General  Carter  wras  then 
mounted  on  Stonewall  Jackson's  horse.  The  Confederate  colonel 
called  the  attention  of  other  ex-Confeds.  on  the  car  to  the  horse, 
and  all  agreed  that  it  was  the  horse  in  question.  They  had  served 
on  Stonewall's  staff  and  remembered  the  horse  well.  The  fact 
was,  however,  that  the  horse  was  given  to  General  Carter  by  Colo 
nel  Splaine  at  the  battle  of  Wise's  Forks,  after  the  former's  horse 
had  been  shot  from  under  him.  Jackson's  horse  was  captured  at 
Mosely  Hall,  the  home  of  Jackson's  father-in-law. 

Attention  may  also  be  called  to  a  gathering  of  generals  at  a 
review  of  the  troops  by  Lieut. -General  Grant,  on  the  22d  of  April, 
in  the  city  of  Raleigh,  N.  C.  There  were  present  on  that  occa 
sion  one  lieutenant-general,  fifteen  major-generals  and  twenty- 
five  brigadier-generals.  Such  a  gathering  of  generals  was  perhaps 
never  before  seen  on  this  continent. 


THE  MARCH  TO  GREENSBORO. 

To  resume  the  narrative  of  the  march  to  Greensboro:  Colo 
nel  Splaine  found  that  Schaffer  wanted  to  march  double-quick 
time  for  105  miles,  while  the  colonel  knowing  that  the  war  was  over 
was  determined  not  to  kill  his  men  to  please  Schaffer  or  any  one 
else.  On  May  6,  it  being  very  warm,  the  command  made  twenty- 
two  miles,  many  of  the  men  becoming  prostrated  from  the  heat. 
The  command  reached  the  beautiful  town  of  Chapel  Hill  that 
night. 

The  next  morning  Colonel  Splaine  told  Schaffer  that  he  would 
march  his  regiment  as  he  pleased,  and  if  the  staff  officer  did  not 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  385 

like  that  way  of  doing  business  he  could  start  ahead,  taking  in  his 
ambulances  and  wagons  the  men  who  had  been  prostrated  the  day 
before,  and  some  others  who  were  not  in  good  marching  order,  to 
guard  the  train;  and  added,  " Lieutenant  Schaffer,  if  you  and  I 
keep  company  much  longer,  and  you  continue  to  be  as  disagreeable 
as  you  have  been,  I  shall  feel  constrained  to  place  you  under  arrest. 
Now,  go  in  peace,  and  behave  yourself.' ' 

On  this  day  the  Seventeenth  was  marched  forty  minutes  in 
each  hour,  resting  twenty  minutes.  By  this  means  the  command 
got  along  comfortably ;  but  the  next  day  the  regiment  was  marched 
during  the  cool  of  the  morning  and  late  afternoon,  thus  avoiding 
the  terrible  midday  heat. 


COLONEL  SPLAINE'S  IRISH-AFRICAN  FRIEND. 

During  the  afternoon  the  command  reached  the  Haw  River, 
which  they  forded,  some  of  the  men  being  compelled  to  swim  part 
of  the  way.  While  they  halted  on  the  other  side  there  came  along 
a  man,  carrying  a  basket  on  his  arm.  While  waiting  for  all  the  men 
to  cross  and  get  in  condition  to  resume  the  march,  the  colonel  en 
gaged  the  man  in  conversation.  He  was  a  respectable  appearing 
person,  with  light  flaxen  hair  and  sandy  whiskers.  When  asked 
if  he  belonged  up  at  the  big  house  on  the  hill,  he  said  that  he  did. 
He  was  then  asked  if  he  was  superintendent  or  foreman.  He  said 
he  was  neither.  He  was  asked  if  he  was  steward,  butler  or  mechan 
ic,  and  he  returned  the  same  answer.  "  Then  what  are  you?' ' — "  I 
am  a  slave."  The  colonel  was  surprised,  and  said,  "Why,  man, 
you  are  as  white  as  I  am.' ' 

The  men,  now  marching  in  route  step,  pushed  up  around  the 
colonel's  horse,  and  the  stranger,  eager  to  get  some  news  or  hear 
the  conversation.  The  colonel  then  inquired  how  the  man  became 
a  slave,  and  he  answered,  "Well,  you  see,  sir,  my  mother  was  an 
octoroon  and  my  father  a  white  man.' '-—Your  mother  was  a  slave, 
then?"— "Yes,  sir."— What  was  your  father's  name?"— "Burns, 
sir." — "And  what  countryman  was  he?"  asked  the  colonel,  un 
prepared  for  the  revelation  that  followed.  "He  was  an  Irishman, 


386  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

On  hearing  this  answer,  there  was  a  roar  of  laughter  from  the 
men,  and  one,  bolder  that  the  others,  shouted,  "Colonel,  that's 
one  on  you!" 

The  colonel  retorted  by  saying,  "Only  the  half  of  him  belongs 
to  me;  the  other  belongs  to  you,  for  his  mother  was  a  good  Ameri 
can."  This  sally  from  the  colonel  created  lots  of  merriment,  and 
the  laughter  became  general  when  the  boys  in  the  rear  were  made 
acquainted  with  what  had  taken  place  at  the  head  of  the  column. 
The  big  house  on  the  hill  was  the  residence  of  Judge  Ruffin,  whose 
son  fired  the  first  shot  of  the  war  when  he  fired  on  Fort  Sumter  in 
the  spring  of  1861. 


A  SAD  WAR  STORY. 

On  the  following  morning  the  boys  were  started  out  before 
five  o'clock,  and  marched  during  the  cool  of  the  forenoon.  When 
it  was  about  time  to  go  into  camp  for  the  warm  part  of  the  day,  the 
colonel,  as  was  his  wont,  dashed  ahead,  with  the  view  of  finding  a 
shady  place  near  a  well  of  water  or  a  brook.  He  soon  approached 
a  place  which  showed  evidences  of  former  opulance,  but  which  was 
now  desolate  and  deserted — a  wreck  of  war.  The  mansion  house 
had  been  burned  down,  as  had  many  of  the  smaller  slave  houses 
or  quarters. 

While  surveying  this  sad  spectacle,  the  colonel  heard  voices 
from  the  other  side  of  a  hedge  across  the  road  from  the  ruined 
houses,  and  on  approaching  it,  he  beheld  a  sight  which  amazed  him. 
He  asked  of  an  old  gentleman  on  the  other  side:  "What  are  you 
doing  there,  sir?"  The  answer  was:  "We  are  plowing,  sir.  You 
see,  Sherman's  men  destroyed  our  houses,  killed  our  cattle,  drove 
our  servants  away,  took  all  there  was  to  eat,  and  all  the  seed  we 
had  for  planting.  A  friend  who  was  more  fortunate  than  I  was, 
has  kindly  given  us  a  little  seed,  and  now  we  are  trying  to  plant  it, 
though  it  is  late  in  the  season,  hoping  we  may  be  able  to  raise 
enough  to  keep  us  from  starving  next  winter.' ' 

The  gentleman — and  a  gentleman  he  was — was  holding  the 
handle  of  a  jack-plow  (a  light  plow,  such  as  the  Southern  farmer 
would  hitch  a  small  mule  or  large  donkey  to,  to  do  his  light  plow- 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  387 

ing).  While  he  was  holding  the  handles  of  the  plow,  and 
pushing  it  with  all  his  energy,  what  was  pulling  at  the  other  end? 
It  was  not  a  mule  or  a  donkey.  No,  incredible  as  it  may  seem, 
it  was  no  animal,  but  it  was  his  two  beautiful  daughters!  Great 
God!  What  a  sight!  War  is  hell,  indeed!  The  colonel  said, 
"Take  your  daughters  into  one  of  the  shanties.  My  regiment 
is  marching  up,  and  I  do  not  want  my  men  to  see  them  under  the 
present  conditions.  My  men  will  halt  only  a  few  minutes,  and 
after  we  have  departed,  you  will  find  a  good  horse  hitched  to  that 
farthest  shanty."  " Whose  horse?"  he  asked.  "Mine,"  said 
the  colonel.  "My  servant  is  riding  my  spare  horse,  and  he  must 
now  march  like  the  other  men.' ' 

In  conversation  with  the  gentleman,  it  was  learned  that  his 
wife  had  been  dead  a  few  years,  that  his  twro  sons  had  lost  their 
lives  in  Lee's  army,  and  that  his  daughters  had  acquired  their 
education  before  he  lost  all  he  had  at  the  hands  of  Sherman's  men. 

The  regiment  now  came  up,  but  halted  only  long  enough  to 
permit  the  colonel  to  make  the  promised  transfer.  Poor  John 
Lynch,  alias  Captain  Mack's  boy  felt  mighty  sore  when  told  to 
take  his  traps  off  the  horse,  and  hitch  the  animal  to  the  shack. 
Lynch  inquired  how  he  was  going  to  carry  the  stuff  for  head 
quarters.  He  was  told  that  the  colonel  would  carry  some  of  it 
and  the  adjutant  the  rest. 

The  colonel  now  shouted,  "Major Smith, march  the  regiment 
to  that  grove  ahead,  where  you  will  find  a  nice  stream  of  water. 
We  will  camp  there  till  late  in  the  afternoon.' ' 

After  the  command  had  passed  on,  the  gentleman  and  his 
daughters  again  appeared,  inspected  their  new  horse,  and  were 
profuse  in  their  thanks  for  the  gift.  The  gentleman  said,  "Colonel, 
if  we  of  the  South  had  known  you  people  of  the  North  as  well 
before  the  war,  as  we  know  some  of  you  now,  there  never  would 
have  been  a  war  between  the  two  sections."  As  the  colonel 
turned  his  horse  to  go,  all  three,  father  and  daughters,  shook  his 
hand  and  wished  him  Godspeed.  Who  could  help  feeling  badly 
at  the  sad  plight  of  this  stricken  family,  even  to  shedding  of  tears? 
Colonel  Splaine  related  that  three  years  ago  he  met  a  Georgia 
colonel  of  the  old  Confederate  army  at  the  State  House  in  Boston, 


388  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

and  told  him  the  story.  The  ex-Confederate  listened  to  the 
recital  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  and  remarked:  "It  is  too  bad  that 
I  can't  reward  you  for  your  generous  aid  to  that  family."  The 
colonel  replied  that  he  felt  compensated  for  his  act  in  the  con 
sciousness  that  he  had  done  a  generous  act  to  a  good  family  in 
dire  distress. 

A    MASSACHUSETTS    SECESSIONIST. 

On  May  9th,  and  when  Colonel  Splaine  thought  it  about  time 
to  halt  for  twenty  minutes,  he  rode  ahead  to  find  a  suitable  place 
to  rest.  He  found  an  attractive  village  of  about  thirty  houses, 
all  painted  white.  An  air  of  neatness  pervaded  the  place.  He 
espied  an  old-fashioned  well,  with  an  old-fashioned  sweep  be 
side  it.  He  thought:  "Here  is  just  the  place  for  the  boys  to  get 
a  nice  drink  of  cool  water."  As  he  drew  nearer,  however, 
he  discovered  that  there  was  no  bucket  attached  to  the  pole,  and 
said  to  himself,  "Where,  Oh  where,  is  the  Old  Oaken  Bucket 
that  hung  in  the  well?" 

He  now  beheld  a  respectable  looking  man  observing  him, 
and  anxious  to  know  something  about  "the  moss-covered  bucket/ 
called  the  man  to  him,  and  saluting,  said,  "How  do  you  do,  sir?" 
The  man  in  turn  saying,  "Howdy,  sir?"  Then  the  colonel 
inquired  what  had  become  of  the  "iron-bound  bucket  that 
hung  in  the  well."  The  man,  looking  somewhat  stern,  replied 
that  he  did  not  know  anything  about  it.  The  colonel  said  his 
regiment  was  coming  up,  and  as  the  boys  would  be  thirsty,  it 
would  be  nice  to  restore  it  to  its  former  position,  "the  moss- 
covered  bucket  that  hung  in  the  well."  The  man  then  said, 
"Sir,  I  don't  know  anything  about  the  bucket,  and  I  don't 
care  anything  about  it."  And  he  added:  "Sir,  I  am  a  Massa 
chusetts  man.  I  have  lived  here  twenty  years,  and,  sir,  I  want 
you  to  know  that  I  am  a  secessionist  of  secessionists,  and,  sir, 
my  name  is  Eldridge.  I  was  born  in  Massachusetts  and  was 
brought  up  there,  and  if  I  had  my  way,  I  wouldn't  give  one  of  you 
as  much  as  a  drink  of  water."  The  colonel  retorted:  "My 
friend,  I  am  sorry  to  find  a  son  of  that  grand  old  Common- 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  389 

wealth  who  entertains  the  sentiments  you  have  just  expressed;" 
and  then  added:  "Did  you  have  to  leave  that  State  because  you 
had  committed  some  awful  crime?"  Eldridge  was  furious,  but 
dared  not  retaliate. 

The  regiment  now  marched  up.  The  colonel  commanded: 
' '  Halt !  In  place !  Rest !  Sergeant,  take  four  men,  fix  bayonets, 
face  the  man  about, — don't  kill  him, — but  be  sure  to  make  him 
find  that  'old  oaken  bucket  that  hung  in  the  well.'  See,  where 
the  water  dropped  on  the  sand  as  the  bucket  was  carried  into 
the  back  yard."  The  sergeant  obeyed  orders,  and  gently,  yet 
firmly  persuaded  Eldridge  to  find  the  missing  utensil,  which  was 
then  fastened  to  the  sweep,  and  Mr.  Eldridge  was  compelled 
to  draw  water  until  every  man  in  the  regiment,  the  colonel  in 
cluded,  had  slaked  his  thirst  and  every  canteen  was  filled. 

As  the  work  of  drinking  and  filling  canteens  went  on,  the 
men  who  were  not  actually  drinking,  sang  "The  Old  Oaken 
Bucket  That  Hung  in  the  Well."  That  song  reminded  many 
of  the  boys  of  the  homes  they  had  not  seen  for  a  long  time,  and 
perhaps  reminded  Eldridge  of  "the  scenes  of  his  childhood." 

The  colonel  now  ordered:  "Fall  in,  battalion!  Right  face!" 
and  loud  enough  to  be  heard  by  all  the  men,  said,  "Mr.  Eldridge, 
you  degenerate  son  of  noble  sires,  if  the  war  was  not  over,  I 
would  try  you  by  drum  head  courtmartial,  and  if  you  were  found 
guilty,  I  would— yes,  I  would "  "What,  sir?"  asked  Eld 
ridge,  now  covered  with  sweat  after  his  work  of  drawing  water. 
"I  would,  yes,  I  would,  sir,"  said  the  colonel.  "Good-bye, 
you  disgrace  to  Massachusetts.  Forward,  march!"  and  as  the 
command  moved  on,  many  of  the  boys  regarded  Eldridge  with 
looks  which  plainly  showed  that  they  would  like  to  do  what 
their  commander  thought. 


AT  GREENSBORO,  N.  C. 

On  to  Graham  that  night,  and  the  next  day,  May  10,  in  the 
afternoon,  the  regiment  entered  Greensboro,  having  marched 
one  hundred  miles  in  five  days.  The  command  was  welcomed  by 


390  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Generals  Carter  and  Henderson.  The  regiment  got  a  much- 
needed  rest  for  a  few  days  without  performing  any  duty.  On  the 
following  evening,  the  regimental  "Glee  Club"  of  which  Hugh 
Young  was  the  leader  and  alto,  assisted  by  T.  P.  George,  first 
tenor;  A.  J.  Gilman,  second  tenor;  Benjamin  Sargent,  baritone; 
Albert  Sargent,  bass;  serenaded  the  regiment,  singing  patriotic 
and  other  stirring  songs. 

After  the  serenade,  the  Glee  Club,  led  by  the  Colonel  and 
other  officers  of  the  Seventeenth,  called  on  Generals  Carter  and 
Henderson,  and  gave  them  a  sample  of  what  Hugh  Young's 
singers  could  do  in  the  way  of  vocal  music.  The  glee  club  was  an 
institution. 

After  the  muster-out  of  the  old  regiment,  in  July,  1864,  the 
club,  through  its  fine  singing, .relieved  the  monotony  of  camp- 
life.  It  was  heard  by  ever}"  officer  in  Schofield's  command,  and 
even  by  General  Sherman.  The  glee  club,  indeed,  was  well- 
known  throughout  the  army,  and  its  members  were  the  pets  of 
their  own  regiment. 

(The  following  is  a  sample  of  the  patriotic  and  pathetic  songs 
frequently  sung  by  Hugh  Young's  quartette,  to  thousands  of 
attentive  listeners,  in  the  armies  of  General  Sherman  and  Scho- 
field.) 

THE  PATRIOT'S  GRAVE. 
Air — The  Rover's  Grave. 

We  laid  him  away  in  the  cold,  damp  ground, 

By  the  banks  of  a  southern  stream — 
Afar  from  his  home,  in  a  stranger  land, 

'Neath  the  heat  of  the  tropic  sun's  beams. 

CHORUS. 

Sleep,  soldier,  sleep,  in  thy  rough  southern  tomb, 

While  above  thee  the  winter  winds  rave. 
In  summer  the  birds  will  thy  requiem  sing, 

And  willows  weep  over  thy  grave. 

No  coffin  enclosed  his  mangled  remains, 

No  shroud,  save  his  uniform  old; 
But  his  name  is  entwined  in  the  laurels  of  fame, 

And  on  memory's  pages  enrolled. 

CHORUS. 
Sleep,  soldier,  sleep,  etc. 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  391 

He  sleeps,  all  unheeding  the  cannon's  deep  roar 

Or  the  sound  of  the  murmuring  stream. 
While  armies  march  o'er  him  in  death-dealing  war, 

He  sees  not  the  rifles'  bright  gleam. 

CHORUS. 
-  Sleep,  soldier,  sleep, etc. 

For  his  country  he  fought,  for  his  country  he  fell — 

A  martyr  to  liberty's  cause. 
Fair  Freedom  he  loved,  and  to  see  her  prevail, 

He  died  for  her  flag  and  her  laws. 

CHORUS. 
Sleep,  soldier,  sleep,  etc. 

In  a  little  white  cot,  in  the  land  of  the  North 

They  are  waiting  his  coming  again. 
They  dream  not  his  body  all  mangled  and  torn 

Is  laid  in  the  ranks  of  the  slain. 

CHORUS. 
Sleep,  soldier,  sleep,  etc. 

Sleep,  soldier,  sleep,  in  thy  rough  southern  tomb, 

While  above  thee  the  winter  winds  rave. 
In  summer  the  birds  will  thy  requiem  sing, 

And  the  willows  weep  over  thy  grave. 

CHORUS. 
Sleep,  soldier,  sleep,  etc. 


The  Seventeenth  Massachusetts  was  now  ordered  on  pro 
vost  duty,  and  Colonel  Splaine  was  made  commandant  of  the 
town.  Orders  were  issued  for  a  thorough  cleaning  up  of  the  town, 
and  where  the  natives  were  too  poor  to  do  it,  or  no  men  were  at 
home,  negroes  were  employed  and  paid  by  the  United  States 
Government,  until  Greensboro  was  soon  as  clean  and  as  sanitary 
as  Boston.  The  streets  were  scraped  and  swept  every  day,  the 
trunks  of  the  shade  trees  on  the  streets  whitewashed,  some  very 
old  rookeries  torn  down  and  their  lumber  burned.  All  houses 
were  cleaned  inside  and  out,  the  natives  entering  heartily  into 
the  work  of  sanitation. 

The  town  authorities,  headed  by  Major  Scott,  assisted 
Colonel  Splaine  in  every  way.  All  went  well,  until  the  colonel 


392  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

requested  Mr.  Worthington,  the  depot  master  and  agent  of  the 
railroad  running  through  the  town,  to  have  his  employees  clean 
up  around  the  station.  Worthington  refused,  telling  the  colonel 
that  he  wasn't  going  to  be  dictated  to  by  a  northern  mudsill, 
and  if  the  colonel  wasn't  wearing  that  uniform  coat,  he,  Worth 
ington,  would  show  him  what  he  meant.  The  colonel  simply 
said,  "  Are  you  a  gentleman?' '  Worthington  claimed  that  he  was. 
"Then,  sir,"  said  the  colonel,  "1  will  send  a  gentleman  to  see 
you,  and,  waving  the  privilege  of  my  coat,  will  meet  you  in  any 
way  approved  of  by  gentlemen/ ' 

That  afternoon  Captain  Keenan  of  the  Seventeenth  called 
upon  Worthington  with  a  note  from  the  colonel,  demanding 
satisfaction.  After  reading  the  note,  Worthington  wilted, 
apologized  and  requested  a  call  from  the  colonel,  to  whom  he 
made  a  formal  retraction  and  apology.  After  that  the  work  of 
cleaning  went  on  in  good  shape. 

About  this  time  a  number  of  prominent  people  from  Illinois 
called  on  General  Henderson,  and  settled  down  in  camp.  The 
proficiency  of  the  Seventeenth  at  battalion  drill  was  so  marked 
that  the  general,  in  order  to  entertain  his  visitors,  bargained  with 
Colonel  Splaine  that  thereafter  his  command  would  be  excused 
from  all  other  duties  if  he  would  give  them  a  battalion  drill  and 
dress  parade  in  the  afternoon.  This  was  done,  and  such  drills 
and  such  parades!  The  visitors  and  the  general  enjoyed  every 
part  of  them,  and  the  Seventeenth  had  a  fine  time. 

About  this  time  Adjutant  James  H.  Stewart,  who  had  been 
left  behind  on  account  of  severe  sickness  at  Chapel  Hill,  returned 
to  camp,  and  was  warmly  greeted. 

June  1st  was  made  a  day  of  penitence  and  sorrow  in  the 
whole  army  on  account  of  the  death  of  President  Lincoln,  a 
memorial  day,  so  to  speak.  Captain  Moore  was  now  made  acting 
assistant  adjutant-general  to  Henderson's  brigade. 

On  June  16,  1865,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Splaine  was  com 
missioned  colonel;  Major  William  W.  Smith,  lieutenant-colonel; 
Captain  John  E.  Mullally, major,  and  First  Lieutenant  Malcolm 
Sillars,  captain. 


THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT.  393 

On  June  1,  1865,  the  following  named  sergeants  were  com 
missioned  as  second  lieutenants;  Robert  Smith  of  Danvers; 
Joseph  A.  Welch,  Haverhill;  John  Cowan,  Salisbury;  Brotherton 
Martin,  Newburyport;  Thomas  A.  Murray,  Lynn;  John  Dunn, 
Newburyport;  Thomas  S.  Clymonts,  New  Bedford;  Joseph  G. 
Martin,  Danvers;  Joseph  G.  Kelley,  Haverhill;  and  George 
W.  Hewes  of  Haverhill. 


STRICKEN  WITH  SICKNESS. 

Sickness  now  prevailed  in  the  Seventeenth,  and  men  were 
dying  at  the  rate  of  four  every  day,  and  the  only  firing  to  be  heard 
was  the  volleys  over  the  graves  of  departed  comrades.  The  col 
onel  and  several  of  his  officers  visited  the  hospitals  in  and  around 
Greensboro  about  every  day  to  encourage  the  sick  and  soothe 
the  dying  in  their  last  moments.  One  impressive  case  was  where 
the  colonel  carried  a  second  lieutenant's  commission  to  Sergeant 
John  Dunn  of  Company  A.  He  found  the  sergeant  dying,  soothed 
him  and  placed  the  commission  in  his  hand.  The  dying  man  knew 
his  commander,  kissed  his  hand,  drew  the  commission  close  to 
him,  kissed  that  too,  and  died  almost  immediately  after. 

Another  case  was  that  of  Delano  of  the  Seventeenth.  When 
the  regiment  was  going  home,  the  surgeons  reported  that  the 
man  was  dying  and  nothing  could  save  him.  The  colonel,  on  a 
visit  to  the  hospital,  said,  "If  he  must  die,  wrhy  not  let  him  die 
in  my  hands?  I  will  take  him  along,  and  perhaps  a  change  of 
climate  may  do  him  good."  The  doctor  said,  "No  use,"  but 
the  colonel  persisted,  and  finally  won  his  point.  He  took  the 
dying  man  along,  and  after  the  command  had  been  on  the  salt 
water  only  four  hours,  Delano  showed  signs  of  improvement. 
He  has  been  improving  ever  since,  and  lives  today  to  thank 
his  commander  for  having  saved  his  life* 


AMOS  ROMANS. 

Amos  Homans  was  born  a  slave  in  Middleton,  Hyde  County, 
N.  C.,  September  20,  1839,  and  was  the  property  of  Mr.  Riley  Mur- 


394  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

ray.  Romans  worked  on  Murray's  plantation  until  some  time 
after  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war,  when  he  concluded  to  be 
free.  He  ran  away  from  his  master,  and  made  an  effort  to  reach 
Newbern,  where  he  believed  there  was  a  Union  army.  He  was 
captured  by  Confederate  troops,  but  not  until  after  he  had  been 
shot  in  both  legs. 

Homans  was  taken  to  Greensboro,  where  he  was  let  out  to 
work  for  a  new  master,  his  wages,  however,  being  sent  regularly 
to  his  owner,  Riley  Murray.  He  finally  found  his  way  among 
Union  troops,  and  on  June  21,  1865,  joined  the  Seventeenth  Massa 
chusetts  at  Greensboro.  His  special  patrons  and  protectors  were 
Nat.  Pope  of  Danvers,  Mass.;  Billy  Stackpole  of  Ipswich,  Mass.; 
and  Sergeant  Martin  of  Rowley,  Mass. 

At  Greensboro,  Homans  became  cook  to  Captain  James 
Splaine,  Company  A.  Upon  the  mustering  out  of  the  Seventeenth, 
Homans  came  to  Massachusetts  as  the  servant  of  Captain  Lewis 
Cann.  He  resided  and  worked  near  his  captain,  in  Danvers,  Mass. 
for  about  three  years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Beverly,  Mass., 
where  he  has  resided  up  to  the  present  time.  He  is  now  janitor  of 
the  Odd  Fellows  Building  in  that  city.  He  married  a  good  woman 
and  is  the  father  of  four  children  who  are  now  grown  up  and  are 
respectable  members  of  the  community. 

Homans  never  fails  to  attend  the  reunions  of  Company  A, 
and  also  the  annual  regimental  reunion.  He  likes  to  meet  his  old 
comrades  and  protectors,  and  especially  likes  to  meet  his  first 
captain's  brother,  Colonel  Splaine. 

On  June  19,  Henderson's  brigade  was  broken  up.  On  June 
28,  Captain  Joseph  A.  Moore  was  made  acting  assistant  adjutant 
general  of  General  Carter's  third  division.  On  June  30,  the  men 
of  the  Seventeenth  who  had  enlisted  for  one  year  were  mustered 
out,  and  on  July  1,  under  command  of  the  gallant  Captain  Enoch 
F.  Tompkins  of  Haverhill,  started  for  Massachusetts  for  final  pay. 
They  were  a  good  body  of  men,  and  as  they  started,  the  regiment 
saluted  them,  and  all  the  old  vets,  cheered  them. 


MUSTER    OUT    AND    RETURN    HOME.  395 

A  FOURTH  OF  JULY  SALUTE  FROM   REBEL   CANNON. 

Just  prior  to  July  4,  Colonel  Splaine  conceived  the  idea  of 
firing  an  immense  salute  on  that  anniversary,  and  for  this  purpose 
had  cleaned  up  112  cannon,  surrendered  by  General  Joseph  E. 
Johnston  to  General  Sherman  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  had 
the  guns  loaded  with  Johnston's  powder,  five  pounds  to  the  gun, 
and  then  got  permission  from  General  Ruger  to  do  the  job. 

At  twelve  o'clock,  noon,  on  July  4,  1865,  he  rode  into  the  cen 
ter  of  the  great  park.  He  had  stationed  a  man  holding  lanyards 
between  every  two  guns,  and  fired  his  pistol,  which  was  the  signal. 
The  112  pieces  went  off  at  once,  and  with  them  Splaine  off  his 
horse;  the  fifty-six  men  were  thrown  off  their  feet,  and  nearly  all  the 
darkies  in  town  went  off  to  the  woods,  believing  that  the  Day  of 
Judgment  had  come.  The  only  thing  seriously  hurt  was  a  lot  of 
window  glass,  but  that  was  expected. 

Colonel  Splaine  thought  it  highly  proper  to  close  the  war 
officially  by  celebrating  the  nation's  birthday  with  the  guns  and 
powder  of  the  beaten  enemy. 


MUSTER-OUT  OF  THE  SEVENTEENTH  AND  RETURN 

HOME. 

On  July  8,  orders  came  to  muster  out  all  men  of  the  Third 
Division,  Twenty  Third  Army  corps,  of  which  the  Seventeenth 
was  a  part.  For  three  days  it  was  write  and  write  on  muster-rolls, 
and  on  the  llth  of  July,  the  Seventeenth  was  mustered  out  of  the 
service  of  the  United  States  by  Captain  A.  B.  Smith,  mustering 
officer  of  the  Twenty  Third  corps. 

On  July  12,  the  regiment  marched  to  the  railroad  station  at 
Greensboro.  The  command  saluted  General  Carter  as  it  marched 
by,  the  gallant  third  division  commander  making  a  nice  speech  to 
them.  Mayor  Scott  of  Greensboro  presented  an  address  of  thanks 
to  Colonel  Splaine  and  his  men  for  having  thoroughly  cleaned  up 
his  city.  That  night  the  train  passed  Danville,  reaching  Burks- 
ville  the  next  day,  and  remained  there  until  the  15th;  thence  by 


396  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

train  it  was  carried  to  City  Point,  Va.,  passing  through  Petersburg 
on  the  way.  At  City  Point  the  steamer  "  Ranger"  was  boarded 
at  midnight.  The  regiment  reached  New  York  July  18,  and  Read- 
ville,  Mass.,  on  the  19th.  The  officers  and  men  were  allowed  to 
go  home  until  the  26th,  when  they  all  returned  and  were  finally 
paid  off  on  that  and  the  next  day. 

Thus  ended  the  service  of  the  Seventeenth  Massachusetts 
Volunteer  Infantry,— a  regiment  which  had  served  its  country  for 
a  period  of  four  years  and  three  months.  It  was  an  honorable, 
hard-working  and  hard-fighting  regiment.  The  officers  and  men 
had  earned  the  respect  of  every  general  they  had  served  under, 
and  had  won  the  good  will  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  portion  of  the 
South  in  which  they  had  served.  They  were  obedient  to  discipline, 
respectful  and  brave.  They  returned  to  their  friends,  who  proudly 
welcomed  them  home.  They  came  home  to  be  as  good  citizens 
as  they  had  been  good  soldiers. 


SUMMARY  OF    LOSSES. 

During  its  term  of  service  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  lost  in 
killed,  wounded,  died  of  wounds,  died  in  Confederate  prisons,  dis 
charged  on  account  of  wounds  or  other  disabilities, — six 
hundred  fifty  officers  and  men. 


ONE  OF  THE  BOYS  OF   '61. 

(Benjamin  P.  Rogers  of  Newbury,  Mass.,  of  Company  A, 
Seventeenth  Regiment,  contributes  the  following  readable  sketch 
of  the  history  of  the  regiment.) 

At  a  time  when  all  boys  back  on  the  farms  in  New  England 
were  aroused  by  patriotic  tendencies,  which  were  the  result  of 
reading  accounts  of  the  John  Brown  episode,  and  later,  his  execu 
tion  in  1859,  I  was  one  of  the  number,  and  work  on  the  farm  be 
came  irksome;  but  time  wore  on,  and  when,  in  April,  '61, 'rebel 
guns  were  trained  on  Fort  Sumter,  the  farm  and  the  onion-bed  had 


MUSTER    OUT   AND    RETURN    HOME.  397 

no  longer  any  charm  for  me,  and  although  only  sixteen  years  of 
age,  I  felt  that  when  my  country  needed  me,  when  that  starry  em 
blem  of  liberty  and  freedom  had  been  insulted,  then  my  patriotic 
impulse  knew  no  bounds. 

I  left  my  work,  told  my  mother  (my  father  had  long  since 
passed  away)  of  my  intentions,  and  with  great  anticipation  of  my 
pride  and  soldierly  appearance  when  I  should  have  donned  the 
army  blue,  I  hastened  away  from  home  with  a  light  step  and  a  long 
stride,  fully  determined  to  enlist,  and  if  need  be,  to  shed  my  blood 
in  defence  of  my  country. 

I  soon  reached  the  city  of  Newburyport,  and  on  May  21,  1861, 
Benjamin  P.  Rogers  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Seventeenth  Regi 
ment  Massachusetts  Volunteers, — the  company  being  known  as 
the  "City  Grays"  of  Newburyport.  On  August  23,  1861,  we 
started  for  the  seat  of  war.  On  reaching  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  be 
cause  we  had  slept  in  the  open  air,  wre  thought  we  were  having  a 
taste  of  real  warfare.  Here  six  companies  of  the  regiment  were 
ordered  into  Maryland  and  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia,  General 
Lockwood  in  command.  Came  back  to  Baltimore  after  an  ab 
sence  of  two  weeks. 

Our  next  move  was  to  Fortress  Monroe  on  steamer  "Star  of 
the  South."  Arriving  at  the  fort,  we  were  ordered  to  proceed  to 
Newbern,  N.  C.,  and  ascended  the  Neuse  River,  April  1,  '62, 
landed  at  Newbern,  N.  C.,  and  immediately  went  into  camp  for 
some  time. 

On  June  23,  1862,  we  found  ourselves  at  Swift  Creek  (correct 
ly  named,)  where  only  a  short  scrap  took  place,  and  where  we  re 
mained  only  ten  days,  and  on  July  4,  we  marched  twenty-four 
miles  back  to  Newbern,  and  into  camp,  where  we  had  some  good 
times  together.  I  can  distinctly  recall,  after  nearly  fifty  years  have 
elapsed,  a  prize  fight  which  took  place  in  the  camp,  between  Com 
rades  Edmunds  and  Corporal  Young.  Besse  acted  as  a  backer 
for  Young,  while  Austin  did  the  honors  for  Edmunds.  The  battle 
was  short,  spicy  and  decisive,  for  Young  won  the  honors  in  a  single 
round. 

Our  next  duty  outside  of  camp  life  was  picket  duty.  There 
we  en  joyed  ourselves  in  card  playing,  shaking  dice  and  an  occasional 


398  THE   SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

bit  of  foraging  was  indulged  in  on  the  sly;  but  we  believe  this 
was  pardonable  when  the  lot  of  the  average  soldier  is  considered, 
for  surely  the  hungry  soldier  loves  the  taste  of  a  tender  chicken  and 
bacon,  and  many  a  time  has  the  writer  aided  the  "boys"  in  " con 
fiscating'  '  these  necessaries. 

By  some  men  Company  A  was  considered  a  hard  crowd,  and 
perhaps  we  were;  but  Company  A,  (as  well  as  the  entire  regiment 
Seventeenth  Massachusetts)  were  never  found  wanting  when 
there  was  work  to  do,  and  be  it  said  to  the  honor  of  the  men  of  Com 
pany  A,  they  all  loved  their  commander,  Captain  Splaine,  and  were 
ever  ready  to  follow  him  as  captain  of  Company  A,  or  as  colonel  of 
the  Seventeenth  Regiment,  and  that  same  love  exists  now  (inten 
sified  by  the  lapse  of  time)  as  we  meet  our  gallant  colonel  and  shake 
his  kindly  hand  at  our  annual  re-unions. 

Our  lot  up  to  the  time  of  our  re-enlistment  in  1864  (January 
2)  was  indeed  varied,  but  we  bore  all  hardships  without  much  com 
plaint.  We  had  expected  furloughs  in  early  February,  but  fate 
had  decreed  otherwise,  and  a  small  "  scrap"  took  place,  with  the 
result  that  out  of  a  force  of  one  hundred  fifteen  men,  sixty-five  were 
left  on  the  field,  and  here  our  gallant  Colonel  Fellows  was  captured. 

All  signs  now  pointed  to  an  early  closing  of  the  war,  and 
the  time  was  fast  coming  when  we  all  must  bid  farewell  to  the 
Southland  and  to  the  graves  of  fallen  heroes  scattered  far  and 
wide.  Neither  the  bugle  notes  nor  the  rattling  drum  beats  to  dis 
turb  the  sleeping  soldier  boy,  as  he  sleeps  the  sleep  that  knows  no 
waking  by  mortals,  for  the  boys  have  answered  their  last  roll- 
call;  and  yet  there  is  comfort  to  me  in  the  belief  that  once  more  I 
shall  meet  those  who  have  passed  out  into  the  spirit  land  before 
us,  whether  they  sleep  their  last  sleep  in  a  quiet  cemetery,  beneath 
the  billows  of  old  ocean,  or  on  the  battle  fields  of  the  Southland. 
There  will  come  an  awakening,  and  we  shall  all  meet  again,  and  I 
am  looking  forward  to  that  time  when  we  shall  see  as  we  are  seen, 
and  know  as  we  have  been  known. 


We  left  old  Massachusetts 

Our  country's  cause  to  win; 

To  fight  for  God  and  home-land 
With  misled  foes  within. 


MUSTER    OUT    AND    RETURN    HOME.  399 

We  left  our  cheerful  firesides, 

Dressed  in  our  "  army  blue' ', 
Determined  at  all  hazards 

To  ne'er  disgrace  its  hue. 

We  followed  close  Old  Glory, 

So  dear  to  every  son. 
Each  stripe  a  blaze  of  glory, 

Each  star  a  statehood  won. 

But  now  our  conflict  ended, 

The  bugle  calls  no  more; 
No  drum-beat  wakes  our  slumber 

As  in  the  days  of  yore. 


VALEDICTORY  OF  COLONEL  SPLAINE. 

As  the  last  surviving  commander  of  the  regiment,  I 
desire  to  say  a  final  word,  or  if  the  reader  please,  fire  the  last 
shot  before  the  history  goes  to  press. 

In  justice  to  myself  and  to  the  officers  and  men  with  whom  I 
served,  many  of  whom  were  under  my  command,  I  feel  it  a  duty  to 
convey  to  my  surviving  comrades,  to  the  surviving  kindred  of  my 
departed  comrades,  and  to  the  public  generally,  the  high  regard 
in  which  I  held  the  officers  and  men  of  my  regiment,  and  the 
esteem  in  which  I  hold  my  surviving  comrades  today,  their  families 
and  the  families  of  our  comrades  who  have  been  mustered  out 
forever. 

Colonel  Thomas  I.  C.  Amory — the  brave,  educated  and 
trained  soldier — large  in  stature  as  in  mind — must  have  been 
proud  to  find  himself  in  command  of  a  regiment  whose  officers 
and  men,  with  few  exceptions,  were  the  sturdy  sons  of  his  native 
Massachusetts,  whose  unselfish  patriotism  made  it  an  easy 
task  for  their  commanding  officers  to  mould  them  into  disciplined 
and  valuable  soldiers,  to  whom  an  approving  word  or  glance  of 
the  eye  would  stir  within  them  emotions  of  pride  and  satisfaction, 
a  colonel  proud  of  his  regiment,  a  regiment  proud  of  its  colonel. 
Colonel  Amory's  knowledge  of  the  art  of  war  was  so  evident  that 
he  was  frequently  in  command  of  brigades  and  divisions,  thus 
removing  him  at  times  from  intimate  and  constant  touch  with 
his  regiment. 


400  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  John  F.  Fellows  of  Chelsea,  Mass., 
was  generally  the  active  commander.  He  was  a  trained  Massa 
chusetts  soldier.  He  was  educated,  handsome,  patriotic,  brave, 
and  in  the  duties  of  commanding  officer  of  his  regiment,  he  was 
painstaking  and  earnest.  In  campaigns,  his  well-known  com 
mand:  " Forward,  Seventeenth!"  was  as  familiar  to  the  ears  of 
his  officers  and  men  as  was  their  daily  hard  tack  to  their  stomachs. 
Colonel  Fellows  was  proud  of  his  regiment,  because  they  were 
volunteers  like  himself,  doubly  proud  because  his  officers  and  men 
gave  him  their  undivided  loyalty  and  confidence.  His  command 
only  ceased  when  he  became  a  prisoner  of  war. 

I  was  the  third  and  last  commander  of  the  regiment,  taking 
command  July  17,  1864,  when  the  three  years'  men  were  mustered 
out.  My  regiment  was  mainly  composed  of  veteran  volunteers, 
most  of  whom  had  served  in  the  old  regiment.  If  Colonel 
Amory  \vas  proud  of  being  in  command  of  the  old  Seventeenth 
Massachusetts  Regiment,  and  if  Colonel  Fellows  was  doubly 
proud  as  commander  of  it,  I  can  only  say  that  I  was  trebly 
proud  when  I  found  myself  in  command  of  substantially  the  same 
gallant  regiment.  Proud!  I  was  the  proudest  man  on  earth! 
Colonels  Amory  and  Fellows  had  military  training,  which  to  a 
great  extent  enabled  them  to  readily  assume  command  and 
receive  the  promotion  which  they  so  richly  deserved;  but  in  my 
case,  promotion  came  only  after  the  hardest  kind  of  study  and 
work.  I  knew  my  officers  and  men,  and  they  knew  me.  Con 
fidence  and  respect  was  mutual.  Discipline  without  cruelty 
was  strictly  enforced,  not  for  the  pleasure  of  the  commanding 
officer,  but  for  the  benefit  and  safety  of  the  men,  who  were  likely 
to  be  called  upon  any  minute  to  meet  the  enemy;  and  when  they 
were  called  upon,  as  in  the  well  fought  battle  of  Wise's  Forks, 
they  showed  the  value  of  discipline.  There  they  displayed 
their  true  bravery,  their  patriotism  and  devotion  to  their  country's 
flag,  by  achieving  a  victory  over  superior  numbers,  and  winning 
the  admiration  of  the  commanding  generals  for  their  gallant 
conduct  in  a  stubborn  fight,  which  lasted  three  days. 

No  wonder  I  was  proud  of  my  men — men  who  gave  me  their 
willing  obedience,  and  who  seemed  even  to  anticipate  my  every 


MUSTER    OUT   AND    RETURN    HOME.  401 

order,  my  every  wish.  The  field,  staff  and  line  officers  of  the 
regiment  were  a  brave,  patriotic  and  intelligent  body  of  gentle 
men.  By  close  application,  they  soon  raised  themselves  to  as 
high  a  standard  of  excellence  as  was  attained  by  those  of  the 
same  rank  in  any  volunteer  regiment  in  the  service.  The  enlisted 
men — eighty  percent  of  whom  were  of  good  old  Yankee  stock, 
and  twenty  percent  representing  all  the  other  civilized  nations 
of  the  earth,  made  up  a  regiment  of  brave,  patriotic  and  self- 
respecting  men. 

Because  of  the  sudden  call  to  arms,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Civil  War,  many  officers  were  hastily  chosen  in  order  to  complete 
organizations  for  the  field,  when,  if  there  had  been  ample  time 
to  make  careful  selection,  some  who  were  chosen  officers  would 
have  remained  in  the  ranks,  and  some  who  continued  in  the 
ranks  would  have  been  chosen  to  wear  the  sword.  Many  of 
the  enlisted  men  were  the  equal  in  ability  and  intelligence  of 
many  of  the  officers  who  commanded  them.  But  all  could  not  be 
officers,  neither  could  all  be  enlisted  men;  but  enlisted  or  com 
missioned,  all  aided  in  preserving  the  Union  of  the  States. 

The  creeds  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Seventeenth  were 
about  as  many  as  were  the  nationalities  they  represented  in  the 
command,  but  I  never  knew  of  any  strife,  wrangle  or  angry 
argument  among  them  about  religion.  There  was  one  altar 
common  to  all,  and  that  was  the  altar  of  their  common  country, 
one  religion,  in  other  words,  that  was  common  to  all,  which  was: 
God  and  their  Country's  Flag.  This  idea  is  finely  expressed  by 
the  poet  in  these  lines : 

"What  though  ten  thousand  altars  bear 
Each  for  heaven  a  different  prayer; 
By  light  of  moon  or  light  of  sun, 
At  Freedom's  we  should  all  be  one.' ' 

Short  biographies  of  several  of  the  officers  have  been  written, 
because  some  of  those  living  have  responded  to  the  requests  for 
facts  pertaining  to  their  personal  history,  and  some  of  the 
families  of  deceased  ones  have  furnished  short  sketches  of  them. 
Were  it  possible  I  would  have  biographies  of  all  the  officers 


402  THE  SEVENTEENTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT. 

printed  in  the  history;  and  not  only  that,  I  would  have  short 
sketches  of  every  enlisted  man  who  did  honorable  service  in  the 
regiment.  But  this  is  manifestly  impossible,  because  the  law 
of  the  State,  relating  to  regimental  histories,  distinctly  provides 
that  the  book  must  not  contain  more  than  500  and  not  less  than 
400  pages.  To  give  a  short  sketch  of  the  2,000  and  odd  men  who 
served  in  it,  would  require  a  book  of  5,000  pages.  But  there  is 
no  need  of  this,  for  the  men  wrote  their  own  biographies  when 
they  offered  their  lives  that  the  nation  might  live;  and  clearer 
to  the  heart  than  any  written  history  is  the  proud  recollection  of 
their  sacrifices  and  privations  in  the  field,  and  the  fond  memories 
of  the  friendships  and  associations  then  formed  and  so  proudly 
and  firmly  cemented  on  the  fields  of  honor,  marched  over  by  the 
victorious  troops  of  the  North. 

Annually,  when  our  comrades  strewT  flowers  on  pretentious 
tombs  or  on  simple  mounds,  with  unpretentious  headstones,  of  the 
departed  heroes,  they  are  reminded  that  even  the  fragrance  of 
the  flowers  is  not  as  sweet  as  the  proud  and  fond  recollections 
which  crowd  upon  them,  recalling  their  youth  and  the  young 
comrades  whose  memories  they  revere  and  honor  for  "  all  they 
were  and  all  that  they  dared  to  do."  Shall  the  friendship  and 
fond  ties,  so  bravely  and  patriotically  formed,  die  in  a  short  time? 
No,  not  for  many  generations  to  come,  for  they  have  become 
traditions  in  the  families  of  the  veterans,  and  as  the  poet  says: 

"Long,  long  be  my  heart  with  such  memories  filled ; 
Like  the  vase  in  which  roses  have  once  been  distill'd. 
You  may  break,  you  may  shatter  the  vase,  if  you  will, 
But  the  scent  of  the  roses  will  linger  there  still." 

To  conclude,  I  reverently  bow  to  the  memory  of  my  deceased 
comrades,  and  offer  my  humble  tribute  of  condolence  to  their 
bereaved  families  and  kindred.  My  surviving  comrades,  their 
families  and  kindred,  I  respectfully  salute,  and  say  to  them  all, 
that  were  it  possible  that  all  were  alive  and  young  again,  and  that 
our  country  was  threatened  from  within  or  without,  and  the 
governor  of  the  State  should  say,  "Here  are  fifty  regiments — 
take  your  choice."  I  would  command  as  I  often  did  before: 
"Fall  in,  Seventeenth !' ' 

HENRY  SPLAINE. 


THE  BIVOUAC  OF  THE  DEAD. 
BY  THEODORE  O'HARE. 


"The  muffled  drum's  low  tap  has  beat 

The  soldier's  last   tattoo; 
No  more  on  life's  parade  shall  meet 

The  brave  and  fallen  few. 
On  fame's  eternal  camping-ground, 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread; 
And  Glory  guards  with  sacred  round 

The  Bivouac  of  the  Dead.' ' 


THE  EXD. 


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